Central High School’s Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) chapter made a significant impact during the annual C-U At Home One Winter Night event, raising over $2,600 for a local homeless shelter. This initiative took place on the night of February 6, 2023, in downtown Champaign, where students spent the entire night outdoors with minimal supplies, including tents, blankets, and winter clothing.
For many participants, including student Ruhan Rajmane, this experience was transformative. “It really changed my mind about everything related to homelessness,” Rajmane noted, reflecting on his first time participating in the event. “Everyone hears about it day-to-day, but I never really knew what people were going through until I experienced it for myself.”
The event encourages participants to gather donations through word of mouth and social media. Although the Central FBLA’s involvement was not officially sponsored by the school, business teacher and club adviser Eric Fagerlin played a crucial role in helping students organize their participation. Fagerlin shared that his own experience with One Winter Night inspired him to facilitate this opportunity for the students.
After spending a night outdoors, he expressed a deeper understanding of the challenges faced by those without stable housing. “They have such limited exposure to unfortunate circumstances. Obviously, we’ve had homeless students before, but we don’t have many who can really understand what it’s like,” Fagerlin remarked. “Just getting a small taste of that really helps garner some empathy.”
Students Gain Insight into Homelessness
The experience also served as an eye-opener for other students. Estelle Shin emphasized the importance of raising awareness about homelessness in the community. “Many people, including me, didn’t know how precious it is to have a roof over our heads. Some people don’t have this luxury,” she stated. Shin articulated how participating in the event taught her to appreciate what she has and to better understand those struggling to find shelter.
Another student, Sohum Gurrapu, highlighted the collaborative spirit of the event. He joined to step outside his comfort zone and stand in solidarity with those experiencing homelessness. Gurrapu also noted the significance of fundraising to help individuals regain stability.
The C-U At Home One Winter Night event not only raised crucial funds for the local shelter but also fostered a sense of community and understanding among the participants. Through their night outdoors, students from Central High School gained invaluable insights into the realities of homelessness and the importance of empathy in addressing social issues.
