MONROE - Area kids who took part in Saturday's Youth Shanty Town Experience on the Courthouse lawn learned what it's like to be homeless.
From 4 to 9 p.m., kids stayed outside to see for themselves how hard it is for people who struggle to find a place to live, sometimes without success.
The night was windy and it rained as kids set up their tents or boxes to help raise money for the county's homeless prevention group.
"It's easier to understand what it would be like to be homeless," said Mark Jenson, 14, Monroe.
Jenson was one of the kids who panhandled for money.
"I never knew what it would be like before," he said.
About 100 kids took part in the experiment, said Jeannie Blumer, Green County economic support specialist.
"I think it's an eye-opener for the kids," she said. "They're not only raising money for the homeless, but they're learning what it's like to be homeless. This is something they'll remember."
The kids who took part in the experiment learned that homelessness can happen to anyone, said Bridget Mouchon, co-chair of the Homeless Prevention Coalition of Green County.
Sofia Larraga, 17, Monroe, said she learned to appreciate having a home.
"It's hard to think people live this way," she said as she prepared to eat soup from a soup kitchen that was set up on the Courthouse lawn.
Blumer said most people don't think about homelessness in Green County, but it still exists. According to recent cases at Green County Human Services, there are 71 homeless families in Green County that consist of 80 adults and 71 children. There are 75 near-homeless families that are made up of 99 adults and 113 children.
Blumer said the number of children homeless or near homeless is equivalent to the number of students in the sixth grade in Monroe Middle School; the number of students in grades six through 12 in Albany; the number of kids in grades seven through 12 in Monticello; the number of kids in grades 10 through 12 in New Glarus; the number of kids in grades four through 12 in Juda; and the entire junior and senior classes in Brodhead.
The Homelessness Prevention Coalition serves the needs of Green County residents who are experiencing the loss of their home and the accompanying loss of security and self-worth. The coalition works in cooperation with Southwest Community Action Program.
For more information about the Homelessness Prevention Coalition of Green County or to make a donation, call Mouchon at (608) 328-9440 or Kris Wisnefske at (608) 558-7686.
From 4 to 9 p.m., kids stayed outside to see for themselves how hard it is for people who struggle to find a place to live, sometimes without success.
The night was windy and it rained as kids set up their tents or boxes to help raise money for the county's homeless prevention group.
"It's easier to understand what it would be like to be homeless," said Mark Jenson, 14, Monroe.
Jenson was one of the kids who panhandled for money.
"I never knew what it would be like before," he said.
About 100 kids took part in the experiment, said Jeannie Blumer, Green County economic support specialist.
"I think it's an eye-opener for the kids," she said. "They're not only raising money for the homeless, but they're learning what it's like to be homeless. This is something they'll remember."
The kids who took part in the experiment learned that homelessness can happen to anyone, said Bridget Mouchon, co-chair of the Homeless Prevention Coalition of Green County.
Sofia Larraga, 17, Monroe, said she learned to appreciate having a home.
"It's hard to think people live this way," she said as she prepared to eat soup from a soup kitchen that was set up on the Courthouse lawn.
Blumer said most people don't think about homelessness in Green County, but it still exists. According to recent cases at Green County Human Services, there are 71 homeless families in Green County that consist of 80 adults and 71 children. There are 75 near-homeless families that are made up of 99 adults and 113 children.
Blumer said the number of children homeless or near homeless is equivalent to the number of students in the sixth grade in Monroe Middle School; the number of students in grades six through 12 in Albany; the number of kids in grades seven through 12 in Monticello; the number of kids in grades 10 through 12 in New Glarus; the number of kids in grades four through 12 in Juda; and the entire junior and senior classes in Brodhead.
The Homelessness Prevention Coalition serves the needs of Green County residents who are experiencing the loss of their home and the accompanying loss of security and self-worth. The coalition works in cooperation with Southwest Community Action Program.
For more information about the Homelessness Prevention Coalition of Green County or to make a donation, call Mouchon at (608) 328-9440 or Kris Wisnefske at (608) 558-7686.