Optimistic for the future

Sunday Joe Finn, Executive Director of the Massachusetts Housing and Shelter Alliance, and I spoke at the National Student Conference on Service Advocacy and Social Action at Northeastern University- a national conference for students around the country who are interested in making a difference by learning about and addressing social issues.

Topics included, everything from global warming, to community organizing, to responsible media. Joe and I spoke about homelessness in Massachusetts and the housing first movement. Wow these were kids engaged! I counted at least 15 provocative and intelligent comments and questions. Joe noted that many of the comments and questions from these kids about the issue as well as state and community responses are the exact ones raised and made by experts in the field for years. Afterward a group stayed and talked to us for another half hour about the problem and how they can get involved. Not only did I leave feeling even more invigorated and motivated by our work but the enthusiasm and passion of these kids made me feel really optimistic about our future!