Cardboard City project coming to park
By Kirsten Ballard
Published in News on November 5, 2014 1:46 PM
Cardboard City is moving to the lawn outside the Herman Park Center.
Community members are invited to sleep in a cardboard box to experience -- if only for a night -- what it is like to not have a warm bed, or even a home, Nov. 22 to Nov. 23.
Rhonda Coakley, Cardboard City president and youth leader at St. Luke United Methodist Church, picked the date so the weather would be "chilly, but not freezing," and because it coincides with National Homelessness Awareness Week.
But regardless of the weather, Cardboard City will continue.
"Homeless people can't get out of bad weather," Ms. Coakley said.
She got the idea from a man she met on a mission trip who had chosen to sleep in a box in 5-degree weather in Minnesota.
"I decided I'm going to do this," she said.
She wanted a way to develop empathy among her youth group.
"I'm constantly trying to get them to step outside of their comfort zone and help people that aren't as blessed," she said.
When she began planning this project, she was surprised to learn that Wayne County has more than 1,700 homeless people -- 400 of them being school-aged children.
Ms. Coakley's goal is to have Cardboard City residents leave enlightened.
"I want people to leave with the answer to the question, 'What can I do?'" she said.
There will be speakers throughout the night discussing how to help.
"A lot of people want to give money, but don't know who to give the money to to make sure it goes to the right people," Ms. Coakley said. "A lot of people want to do mission work, but don't want to leave the country or even the state, but we have people in our own backyard that need our help."
To participate, download a registration form from www.cardboardcity.org.
"Residents" of Cardboard City are urged to raise $100 to participate. People who wish to participate can register as individuals or groups. They must be older than 18 to register as an individual. Registration forms and money are due by Nov. 6 to ensure "citizens" get a free T-shirts.
Residents will arrive to Cardboard City on the lawn of Herman Park Center from 4 to 6 p.m. that Friday.
Ms. Coakley said residents should bring their own boxes, but they will have a few on-site in case other people decide to stay. Participants are not allowed to share boxes.
Participants will be setting up their boxes and helping make hygiene kits and bagged lunches. They will be served dinner at 6 p.m.
The public is welcome to attend the festivities, which will begin at 7 p.m., when local church bands perform.
At 10 p.m., participants will turn in for the night.
Police will provide security while they sleep.