Impact of Student Shelter Service
Scholarship on student engagement in service organizations addressing homelessness has primarily focused on two major themes: (1) social awareness gained by students on issues pertaining to homelessness in their communities and (2) positive civic attitudes and engagement. These observed themes are most closely associated with the contact theory, which posits that students who have more contact with individuals experiencing homelessness, whether through direct exposure (or interaction) or indirect exposure (education, media, etc.), tend to have more positive beliefs and attitudes towards members of this vulnerable population (Polgar 2009). The prominent themes emerging from this body of literature offer an important foundation which will inform further studies investigating the impact of shelter service work on the development of student motivations, identity, and leadership.
The first major theme discussed in literature on student involvement in shelter service roles describes the change in social awareness of student volunteers. Often, one of the biggest obstacles to implementing policy measures that address the issue of homelessness is the negative attitudes that many people hold towards individuals experiencing homelessness (Hocking and Lawrence 2000). Multiple studies and literature have observed that students that engage with homeless persons experience a positive shift in attitudes towards this marginalized population (Stolley 2011). This change in attitudes is often seen concurrently with dismantling of misinformed preconceptions and negative stereotypes. These students were less likely to perceive individuals experiencing homelessness as culpable and were more willing to accept structural explanations (often relating to poverty) for homelessness (Hocking and Lawrence 2000; Polgar 2009).
The second significant theme explores the broader effects of this type of service learning on a community level. Multiple sources of literature note that student service with homeless persons promotes social responsibility and civic engagement. Actively engaging with homeless persons is direct exposure to societal inequalities and injustices; these interactions tend to both attract and inspire students who are passionate about making a difference in their communities (Buch and Harden 2011). Promoting these values can in turn nurture student agency in not only their university communities but also their larger communities; ultimately, this shelter service learning could play an instrumental role in shaping adolescents into adults who will be active advocates and citizens in the community.
Both of these themes emerged during my interviews with HSHS directors. The three student directors each described the sense of responsibility they felt towards the guests at the shelter. This responsibility stemmed out of their own experiences with these individuals and the privilege that they acknowledged from their own Harvard education. They also strongly believed that there is much more work that has to be done to address the issue of homelessness. One issue that was discussed was the importance of building partnerships with Harvard and the city of Cambridge to combat homelessness as a coalition of students, faculty, and community citizens. The opportunity for student shelter organizations to partner with local institutions can be a powerful way to expand the impact of the work of HSHS and other shelters. I am particularly interested in how to facilitate a partnership that can be used for advocacy and community impact.
