Homelessness Advocate to Begin Journey at KSU Campus | Events

KENNESAW, GA -- Kennesaw State University's annual Homelessness Awareness Week begins Oct. 4. This year, documentary filmmaker Diane Nilan will host a rally on campus to help draw attention to the plight of people who are without a permanent home.

Nilan is the founder and president of HEAR US, a national advocacy group for homeless children. In 2005, she sold her car and house in suburban Chicago, bought an RV and drove more than 20,000 miles through 34 states to interview and film homeless families. She produced the award-winning documentary series My Own Four Walls and is the author of Crossing the Line: Taking Steps to End Homelessness, an autobiographical book about homeless people she encountered during her nearly 20 years as a shelter director.

This year's HAW will kick off with a conference on Monday, Oct. 4 from 9:00 a.m. to 6:15 p.m. at the KSU Student Center University Rooms. The conference will feature speakers addressing issues of employment, crisis intervention for the homeless and federal efforts to reduce homelessness.

Nilan's rally will take place on the Campus Green on Wednesday, Oct. 6 from 9:30 a.m. from 11:00 a.m. Nilan will begin a 10-day, 2,100 mile RV journey at KSU; she will drive to Maine to prompt local, state and national responses to homelessness.

KSU third annual sleep-out will begin at 6:00 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 7 and end at noon on Saturday, Oct. 9. Students, faculty and staff will sleep overnight and between classes under cardboard tents in the quad area between the Social Sciences Public Safety and Pilcher buildings.

For more information about HAW, visit KSU's website or contact Sabbaye McGriff either via email or at 678-797-2550.