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).
2019 Shantytown: Akron's Tent CityShantytown 2019 will feature a screening of Inside Akron’s Tent City directed by Kevin Naughton who graduated from Perry High School in 2005. Kevin shot the documentary using an iPhone and it was featured at the Cleveland International Film Festival in 2019. Kevin will be joined by Sage Lewis and Loren Naji. Lewis is the founder and operator of Second Chance Village and owns the property where Akron’s Tent City once stood. Naji is a local artist who advocates for the homeless through his work.
Utilizing simulations, speakers, and hands-on activities, participants will learn how members of our Northeast Ohio homeless community have been affected by municipal policies. The program is designed to give participants the tools that they need to respond quickly, intelligently, and thoughtfully in cooperation with other community activists when oppression strikes people experiencing homelessness. |
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Shantytown is open to all students in grades 9-12. We are also seeking donations for Akron's Homeless Charity and Village. 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 [email protected] or Mrs. Trentanelli at [email protected]
Registration for 2019 Shantytown
Application forms are available online, as well as in the PHS office and PSL classroom. Shantytown is open to all Perry High School students. Registration is limited to the first 45 students who have submitted completed applications and the $20 participation fee (checks made payable to Perry High School) to the high school office, and who have an 2019 Annual Update completed via Infinite Campus. Students missing any of those steps may not be eligible to participate. The application window will close on Friday, August 30th at 3pm.
