John Ehlke

Michael Sutton said to students Monday night that despite the stereotype, not all homeless people are lazy.

“There are a number of reasons to be in a shelter,” he said.

Students gathered Monday in Warriner Mall for a candlelight vigil for the homeless to kick off Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week.

The vigil, hosted by Covenant House Michigan where Sutton stays, a non-profit organization based in Detroit, was to raise awareness about homeless youth.

“I want people to realize the importance of the community coming together and acknowledging this kind of thing,” said Melissa Golpe, public relations and marketing director for Covenant House Michigan.

Golpe spoke about the organization’s efforts, and estimated that the organization has helped about 32,000 people.

“We’re giving them the tools to become independent,” Golpe said.

The organization assists both homeless and at-risk youth 13 to 22 years old.

Golpe said youths are provided with counseling, food, leads on job opportunities and mentoring. In the case of dropouts, this can even include help getting a high school diploma.

The organization runs an emergency shelter and also provides a two-year transitional living program for 18 to 22-year-olds.

As the candles were lit, the stories of several homeless youths were read, as well as several poems on the subject.

Sutton also spoke at the event as someone who has experienced homelessness.

“I have so many friends who don’t even have anything,” Sutton said.

Sutton said he is the father of two children, and had been evicted from his house after losing his job.

UPS fired him because he no longer had a driver’s license and could not deliver packages, Sutton said.

Golpe said Covenant House Michigan receives most of its funding through donations, but also receives some grants.

Sutton joked that he appreciated everyone in attendance at the vigil being out in the cold weather freezing like him.

“Homelessness is not something to look down on; it’s something to look up on and do something about,” he said.

Covenant House Michigan will be accepting new and used clothing donations at the Volunteer Center in the lower level of the Bovee University Center until Saturday.

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E-mail the author: Jonathan Kleyer