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Shack-a-thon Returns to Campus
New student club revives the project to highlight homelessness
University News | April 12, 2023
When communities come together, great things can happen. 91风月楼 will soon live that experience with VWU SACH (Students Against Continuous Homelessness) and its first big event: Shack-a-thon.
The event, set for April 16-18, aims to bring the VWU campus together to raise awareness of hunger and homelessness. To inspire discussion about what it means to be hungry and homeless in Hampton Roads, students will build shelters and spend time in them. Participating teams will have at least one member spend a night sleeping outside in a newly constructed shack on Batten Lawn.
VWU freshman Aidan Foley took the initiative to establish the new club and lead it with several classmates and friends, including his VWU lacrosse teammates.
“The club was born out of the January term service-learning class I took with Dr. Takeyra Coats, assistant professor of sport and recreation professions,” Foley said. “Dr. Coats mentioned the event during class and asked if anybody would be willing to restart it, and I accepted the responsibility.”
Foley’s humanitarian passion grew during his high school years at Northport High School when he served as a leader for a club called Students for 60,000, which represented 60,000 people experiencing homelessness in New York City. The club's mission was helping and empowering those in need.
“I helped run food drives, volunteered at food pantries, executed a Midnight Run, and most importantly held an annual event called SHANTY (Sheltering the Homeless And Needy This Year). SHANTY is the same in concept to the Shack-a-thon, but in a shorter time frame and with more participants.”
After five-and-a-half years since the last Shack-a thon on campus, Foley is bringing it back with even more purpose and energy.
“The goal is to build an awareness of homelessness and the systemic issues that create it,” he explained. “I want to spread ideas that can end homelessness, learn about its history and what we can do as average people to uplift each other. I couldn't have done this without support from Brynn Dajc, my vice president, as well as the other members of the executive board: Isaac Awogboro, Jasmine Gorney, Victoria Haneline, and Anna Greenleaf."
In addition to shack building and games and prizes, Foley and his team plan to feature presentations by guest speakers from Virginia Beach Housing, REACH, Inc. (Reading Enriches All Children) and JCOC (Judeo-Christian Outreach Center).
At Virginia Wesleyan, an active student life is an essential part of the college experience. The Student Activities Office connects students with opportunities to start or join a club, become part of a fraternity or sorority, influence campus policies with the Student Government Association, or plan major campus events with Off the Hook. More information about clubs and organizations can be found in the Student Activities Office in the Batten Student Center.
To get involved and support Shack-a-thon, contact Aidan Foley at adfoley@vwu.edu or Wesleyan Engaged. WVEC Channel 13 News did an with Foley about the event.