One Night Without A Home

Event shows realities of homeless

About 40 community members slept in City Park on Friday to raise awareness about homelessness in Siloam Springs.

One Night Without a Home was sponsored by Genesis House and included a simple meal, a silent auction, live music and a program. It also served as a fundraiser, bringing in more than $13,000 for the non-profit.

Genesis House is a day shelter for the homeless and offers showers, laundry, limited meals, a mail drop, and telephone and email message services. It also provides counseling and connects people to a full range of available government and community non-profit agency resources, including employment services, according to the organization’s website.

The program included testimonials from people who have experienced homelessness, as well as stories of people who have been helped by Genesis House.

Rose Sparrow, who performed for the program, said that nobody knows when they might end up needing assistance.

“You don’t know when it’s going to be your turn. You can work every day and then…” she said with shrug.

Corey Rhodes, Genesis House board president, explained that federal law defines homeless people as those who lack a fixed or regular nighttime residence, those who live in a shelter or who stay on the couch of a relative. The organization helps those who are in situational poverty from a job loss or medical problems, as well as those who suffer from generational poverty.

Between July 2015 and June 2016, Genesis House had more than 2,527 visits, including 945 from people who were homeless for the first time. More than 350 of those who were homeless for the first time were children.

For more information about Genesis House visit the organization’s Facebook page or www.genesishousesiloam.com.

Janelle Jessen/Herald-Leader Wyatt Rhodes tried out the box tent he created to sleep in during One Night Without a Home, held Friday in City Park. The event, sponsored by Genesis House, was designed to raise awareness about homelessness in Siloam Springs. It also served as a...

Janelle Jessen/Herald-Leader The worship band from Rogers Christian Church provided live music before the program began on Friday evening. Rose Sparrow and Tim Stone also performed during the event.

Janelle Jessen/Herald-Leader Three girls from Compass Church Youth Group worked on constructing a place to sleep out of cardboard boxes on Friday evening.

Janelle Jessen/Herald-Leader James and Keri Harris worked on building a shelter out of cardboard, tarps and duct tape for One Night Without a Home.

Janelle Jessen/Herald-Leader A group of boys from Compass Church Youth Group worked to build a shelter out of cardboard boxes to sleep in on Friday night.

Janelle Jessen/Herald-Leader Less Carroll, right, served food during One Night Without a Home. Those who attended ate a simple meal that included hotdogs and side dishes.

Janelle Jessen/Herald-Leader Corey Rhodes, board president of Genesis House, spoke briefly during the evening.