BREAKING SOCIAL BARRIERS By Haley Anzalone I Claire Heffley The Harding chapter ofthe Roosevelt Institute teamed up with Harding professors from different departments to fight homelessness and stay involved in the Searcy community. The nationwide nonprofit organization, founded in 2004, devoted itselfto carrying forward the legacy and values of former President Franklin D. Roosevelt and former first lady Eleanor Roosevelt by developing progressive ideas with bold leadership, according to the organization's website. The Rethinking Communities Initiative, a focus project ofthe Roosevelt Institute, strove to make universities anchor institutions in their communities by generating solutions to local problems. In line with this initiative, Harding's chapter of the Roosevelt Institute realized the need for increased aid to the homeless population and reached out to local nonprofits such as the Mission Machine, directed by Seth Simmons. Senior Jennifer Wright, president o ft h e Harding chapter ofthe RooseveltInstitute, worked with sponsor Heath Carpenter and assistant professor ofbehavioral science Kathy Helpenstill, assistant professor of Bible Dr. Andrew Baker, chair of the department of communications Dr. Jim Miller and Dean ofthe College of Business Administration Al Frazier to form a poverty coalition to address the community problem. "There are ways to make things happen," Wright said. "If you see a problem, then do something about it." The group also met with Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson to discuss ways to help the issue of homelessness in Searcy. Hutchinson's political focuses while in office included foster care and prisoner reentry. "These focuses contribute to housing, security and pove1ty in general," Wright said. Junior Sarah Littleton found out about the organization through her older sister, a former member of Harding's chapter. Littleton joined Wright this summer at the Hyde Park Conference in New York for chapter officers of the Roosevelt Institute. "The Hyde Park Conference made me more passionate about the Roosevelt Institute, and I was ready to get involved when I returned to Harding," Littleton said. Senior member Donisha Webb said the institute provided students an open door to get involved in their community and participate in the political arena. "Organizations that help strengthen their communities are important because they build and sustain an impact on people who know very little on the subject matter or have severe misconceptions about it," Webb said. "Student organizations like (the Roosevelt Institute) allow young adults to debate ideas that don't have easy solutions, homelessness being just one of them." Photo courlC'sy r~f Austin Nighlengale
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