Homelessness in the Mat-Su? I had no idea

Some days I think I’ve got it rough, but one trip to the annual Mat-Su Project Homeless Connect made me put my life into perspective. The annual event aims to combat homelessness in the valley by lending a helping hand to those who are homeless or those who need assistance by giving away free clothing, food, hygiene kits, blankets, books and other basic supplies. Sixty-three agencies and more than 120 volunteers, including teen volunteers from Mat-Su Central School and Wasilla High School, combined their efforts to help the more than 250 people in need. This year’s attendance doubled that of last year.

One thing that really stood out was how something as simple as saying, “Hello,” or opening the door for someone as they came in really set a positive tone. One MSC student said, “Even something as simple as a smile could make a person’s day.” A WHS student said, “the thing that warmed my heart, was the change of expression I saw as folks came in versus when they left.” It really reinforced how programs like this do make a difference in the community. “It made my day, knowing I got to help people and actually make someone’s day”, said another MSC student.

It was shocking how many people attended. Prior to this year, I had never even heard of the program before one of my teachers invited our class to help by volunteering and spending the day at the Menard Sports Center. It is easy to look at the statistics and see a few thousand as a small number; I quickly realized how big the number actually was after seeing only a fraction of the estimated homeless population in our local community. As I was greeting people at the door, I realized half of them are people I would never expect to be homeless judging by their look. They didn’t fit the homeless stereotype I had and that was eye opening. Some people even had kids to take care of and it is difficult to imagine being in that position.

Programs like this provide a powerful tool in combating homelessness by reaching out to people who need it. While it might not solve the

homeless problem, this day did make a difference and does offer some relief to the families that need help.

Zach Curry is a Mat-Su Central senior and contributing writer for the school’s journalism class.