2/26: 3rd Annual West Coast Student Summit on Hunger and Homelessness

Starting Date: 02-26-2005
Starting Time: 9:00am
Ending Date: 02-27-2005
University Of California, Berkeley
Berkeley, CA
USA
800-664-8647
http://www.studentsagainsthunger.org


Description
The National Student Campaign Against Hunger and Homelessness is very excited to announce our 3rd Annual West Coast Summit, the elite training ground for students working on the West Coast to end hunger and homelessness.

Seeing the Big Picture: Piecing Together the Puzzle to End Hunger and Homelessness

West Coast Student Summit on Hunger and Homelessness
University of California, Berkeley ~ February 26-27, 2005
Register today at http://www.studentsagainsthunger.org!

Come to the 3rd Annual West Coast Summit of the National Student Campaign Against Hunger and Homelessness and join the movement of students making an impact nationally! On February 26-27, 2005, over 200 students, community leaders, and campus staff will come together at the University of California, Berkeley to learn and work with the best organizers and advocates in the anti-hunger and homelessness movement. The weekend is an invaluable experience that will give students the latest information on the issues and actions taking place, and build on students’ skills for running incredible projects to end hunger and homelessness locally, nationally, and internationally. This year’s Summit will help students see the big picture, and teach them how to piece together the puzzle of ending hunger and homelessness with real tools for change. Don’t miss this weekend!

UC Berkeley has a strong history of student activism, from the Free Speech movement in the 1960s to the anti-war movement of the 1970s and today; Berkeley has long been a cultural center for students raising their voices to demand social change. There is no better place to build the student movement to eradicate hunger and homelessness, so join us this February!

Register right away at http://www.studentsagainsthunger.org!

During one of the most hotly contested election seasons on record this past November, both parties filled the airwaves with talk of a safe, secure America, strengthening our economy, and strong moral values. In the midst of all of the political rhetoric, there was little more than lip service given to discussing the issues of hunger and homelessness, despite the fact that 36.3 million of our neighbors will suffer from hunger this year, and 3.5 million Americans will experience homelessness, with those numbers rising every year.

While it is clear to most Americans that hunger and homelessness are large problems in our society, this widespread concern is not reflected in the policies of our country. Real discussion of how to end these unnecessary social problems simply does not take place in the media, in the halls of Congress, or in the White House. The double-speak of many of those in power praises community initiatives like food pantries, meal programs, shelters, and charitable events, while slashing budgets for effective programs like Section 8 housing assistance and programs that provide emergency services to people who are homeless.

This contradiction has not gone unnoticed. Students and community members must join with advocates and service providers to create a society that demands an end to hunger and homelessness. There are many pieces to the puzzle of ending hunger and homelessness: community service, fundraising, and educating the general public and decision-makers. Taken alone, each of these pieces addresses a part of the problem, but we need to put all of these pieces together and see the big picture in order to alleviate the immediate needs in our communities, and push our decision-makers to prioritize ensuring that everyone has access to food, shelter, healthcare, and education.

Join us for a great weekend filled with education, action, and the opportunity to meet and network with hundreds of other activists.

Speakers and Panel Discussions: Learn more about the issues of Hunger and Homelessness from the country’s most effective organizers, service providers, advocates, and activists. Panel topics include the following: Homeless Families and Children, Legislative Updates, Hunger in America, International Poverty, and many more.

Workshops: Choose from over 30 workshops to help build skills, knowledge, and gain creative ideas for effective action. Topics include everything from planning a huge Hunger Cleanup, starting a student-run soup kitchen, running a local grassroots campaign, and building your campus organization.

Discussions and Networking: Network with students from across the West Coast to share success stories, discuss effective strategies, and learn how to establish programs that will benefit your community.

Faces of Homelessness Panel: Currently and formerly homeless individuals share their personal experiences of homelessness, explain who becomes homeless and why, and present ways to get involved in the solutions for ending homelessness.

National Host

The National Student Campaign Against Hunger and Homelessness
The National Student Campaign Against Hunger and Homelessness was established on the belief that students are a critical force in the fight against hunger and homelessness. Recognizing the incredible potential of the collective power of young people, USA for Africa and the state Public Interest Research Groups (PIRGs) combined resources to establish the National Student Campaign Against Hunger and Homelessness in 1985. The Campaign works to increase student community service and action to end hunger and homelessness by offering resources and guidance to concerned students. Over the past twenty years, the Campaign has developed several national programs, become a clearinghouse of information and a liasonbetween national and student organizations, and expanded students’ leadership skills to become better organizers and activists. The Campaign has engaged tens of thousands of students in community service and political campaigns, developed local long-term projects, and rasied $1.5 million to fight national and international hunger and homelessness.

Summit Hosts

University of California, Berkeley
The University of California is one of the world's leading academic institutions. The school, known throughout the world as "Cal," is truly a prototype of a contemporary university. It attracts what many consider the finest applicant pool in the country, generates an ethnically and culturally diverse student population on campus, and provides one of the finest learning experiences in the world today.

California Student Public Interest Research Group (CALPIRG)
CALPIRG was established more than 30 years ago by students wanting to study, learn about, and act on the pressing social problems they were facing. Students involved with their CALPIRG chapter have learned how to investigate problems, come up with practical solutions, and convince the media and decision-makers to pay attention and take action. Through CALPIRG, students gain an educational experience in democratic citizenship. They get a chance to face society’s big problems, take action, and win concrete changes that improve the quality of our lives. Last year, students involved with CALPIRG raised more than $10,000 for hunger and homelessness relief programs.

The ASUC Office of the President
The ASUC Office of the President allows all students on campus to make the most of their years at Cal. The vision of the office is to help students understand the opportunity they have as Cal students. The office, as a direct spokesperson of the student body, spearheads many of the social, political and academic student programs that help promote the Cal spirit amongst students.

Online Registration- Do it Today!

Registration for the 3rd Annual West Coast Summit is easy. Simply point your browser to http://www.studentsagainsthunger.org, and click on the section for the West Coast Summit. Registration is $50 for students, and $65 for non-students. Registration fee includes all Summit materials, breakfasts and lunches, and housing (if needed.)

http://www.campusactivism.org/displayevent-722.htm