Volunteering at Haven House, which provides emergency housing and support for families in need in the Lansing area, has become a routine for some members of MSU fraternity Tau Kappa Epsilon.
International Relations junior Zach Racine is currently on the service committee for Tau Kappa Epsilon. After seeking volunteering opportunities, he found Haven House.
"The president of my fraternity brought up Haven House to me as a viable option," Racine said. "I went through a quick orientation at Haven House in order to be able to volunteer there."
Now, Racine and his fraternity brothers volunteer at Haven House every Friday in the playroom.
Food industry junior Spencer Casson coordinates the volunteers at Haven House for Tau Kappa Epsilon.
"It is eye-opening to see, and honestly just makes me grateful that I am able to attend MSU and not have to worry about food or shelter," Casson said.
Haven House is an emergency shelter for families in need of a place to stay. When all else fails, there is always a home for families at the Haven House.
Racine and his fraternity brothers volunteer for the playroom to spend quality time with the kids at Haven House, which can only be open when volunteers are present.
"Volunteering at the Haven House means a lot to me, because I just remember being a kid and just wanting to play all the time," environmental engineering sophomore Daniel Freeman said.
Haven House provides a rehousing program and has daily meetings with families to ensure success and healthy lifestyle.
"I think it’s a good program to get people back on their feet and to be more positive and motivated and wanting to get housing," office volunteer Kymaletha Brown said. "When they find housing that is an emotional impact for me because I’m excited because they’re excited."
MSU students are exposed to the harsh reality of East Lansing homeless community every day. Whether it's walking to class, down Grand River Avenue or walking out of an apartment complex.
According to the 2014 Annual Homeless Report, more than 5,000 homeless people live in Ingham County, 3,334 are single adults, 640 chronically homeless adults, 1,355 adults in families and 1,410 children in families.
"Based off what I have experienced growing up with, yes I think the homeless community in East Lansing is big," Racine said. "Comparing the homeless community to Detroit's or Chicago's, I don't think so."
Support student media! Please consider donating to The State News and help fund the future of journalism.
