Teens get idea of homeless life through eye-opening church initiative

Teens from the Youth Ministry of North Caldwell’s Notre Dame Church participated in an experience that simulated what it might be like to be homeless by sleeping outside with meager shelter and food on a frigid night during the parish’s annual Homeless Sleepout on November 12.

The youth, who ranged from 14 to 18 years old, slept outside the church in cardboard boxes they found themselves, with only a small fire keeping them warm. They were allowed to bring a sleeping bag, pillow, and winter clothing, but they could not use their phone or eat anything other than the sandwiches they were given early that evening. The teens also slept on a damp ground since it rained that day, making the situation colder and somewhat more authentic.

“We often take for granted what we have, so letting the kids sleep outside was a way of showing them there are many people who don’t have electronics or a warm blanket or a home to go to,” said Kristen Mautone, Notre Dame Church’s director of youth ministry. “I hope they walk away from this experience feeling grateful and lucky for what they have. And I hope they realize that homelessness is closer than they think — they might have neighbors or classmates who can’t afford a box of cereal. But just one person can make a difference by donating food and showing compassion.”

To that end, the teens collected 15 bags of cereal, tuna, coffee, snacks, and other nonperishables over the course of the Homeless Sleepout. Items were donated by participating youth as well as by caring parishioners. All the contributions will go to the nearby Caldwell Food Pantry, which was selected to further emphasize that people in the teens’ own backyard could use some help.

Notre Dame Church is a parish of the Archdiocese of Newark, which encompasses Bergen, Essex, Hudson, and Union counties. To learn more about Notre Dame’s Youth Ministry, visit https://www.ndparishnc.com/youth-m.

Photos courtesy of Notre Dame Church