Shantytown

Shantytown is an overnight experience for students at Perry High School designed to raise awareness about the issues poverty and homelessness in our community. Since 2006, PHS students have engaged with current and formerly homeless speakers, shared a simple meal, watched a movie regarding homelessness, and spent the night sleeping on the front lawn of the school. The next day, these dedicated homeless advocates return to school tired, cold, and hungry but with a better understanding of the causes of homelessness and how they can partner with the assets in our community that are working to improve the lives of people without a place to call home.
Each year participants donate between $250 and $1,000 to local non-profits engaged in providing support to people who are living in poverty. Previous recipients include The Salvation Army (Painesville, Ohio), The Ohio Coalition for the Homeless (Columbus), Lutheran Metropolitian Ministries (2100 Lakeside Men's Shelter), Project Hope for the Homeless (Painesville), WomenSafe (Chardon), Forbes House (Painesville), the Sub Zero Mission (Perry), Extended Housing (Painesville), and The International Services Center (Cleveland).
Each year participants donate between $250 and $1,000 to local non-profits engaged in providing support to people who are living in poverty. Previous recipients include The Salvation Army (Painesville, Ohio), The Ohio Coalition for the Homeless (Columbus), Lutheran Metropolitian Ministries (2100 Lakeside Men's Shelter), Project Hope for the Homeless (Painesville), WomenSafe (Chardon), Forbes House (Painesville), the Sub Zero Mission (Perry), Extended Housing (Painesville), and The International Services Center (Cleveland).
2017 Shantytown to focus on ending homelessness among veterans
The Perry Service Learning (PSL) program will host its annual Shantytown event to raise awareness about ending youth homelessness on September 24th. This year we are partnering with the Sub Zero Mission, Project Hope, and the Vietnam Moving Wall project to to learn how our community addresses the issue of homeless veterans. Students will have the opportunity to meet and hear the stories of current or formerly homeless veterans, participate in a soup kitchen simulation, prepare a donation for local veterans experiencing homelessness, spend the night sleeping outside, and spread awareness about what members of our school and community can do to end homelessness among veterans.
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Shantytown is open to all students in grades 9-12. We are also seeking donations from the Sub Zero Mission's wish list. Donations can be dropped off at the PSL Center for Civic Engagement located in Manchester West between 7:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. If you have questions, please call the PSL office at 259-9708 contact Mr. Soeder at soederm@perry-lake.org or Mrs. Trentanelli at trentanellia@perry-lake.org
Selecting participants - Registration for 2017 Shantytown
Shantytown is open to all Perry High School students. We can accept up to 50 participants. T-shirts will be given to the first 20 students who complete the application and turn in their registration fee. Students must also have completed medical forms on file with the school office in order to participate. All applications will be carefully reviewed and checked for completion. Applicants will be accepted based on the thoughtfulness of their application responses. Registration fees will be returned to students who are not accepted/unable to attend. The registration window will remain open until Wednesday, September 6th.
Things to bring

1. A tent
2. The clothing on your back and a sleeping bag or warm blanket
3. School items that you'll need for Monday
4. A small can of chicken noodle soup for our soup kitchen dinner. (Extra will be donated to the Perry Center)
5. One or more of the items from the Sub Zero Mission's wish list.
Please do not bring snacks. Participants are encouraged to experience the hunger pains into the evening to get a small feel for what many people experience on a daily basis.
2. The clothing on your back and a sleeping bag or warm blanket
3. School items that you'll need for Monday
4. A small can of chicken noodle soup for our soup kitchen dinner. (Extra will be donated to the Perry Center)
5. One or more of the items from the Sub Zero Mission's wish list.
Please do not bring snacks. Participants are encouraged to experience the hunger pains into the evening to get a small feel for what many people experience on a daily basis.