By LINDSAY CAREY STAFF WRITER Four different faith-based congregations came together to educate the youth about the effects of homelessness and to support programs that benefit the homeless. Two Christian churches, the First Congregational Church of Southington and Plantsville Congregational church, partnered with Gishrei Shalom Jewish Congregation and Berlin Mosque for the Southington Solidarity Sleep Out last week. “We had over 40 people, which was more than I ever expected for the first time we’ve done this,” said First Congregational Church of Southington Pastor Dawn Karlson. The event raised money to support Southington Community Services, Bread for Life, and the Friendship Center in New Britain, which is the closest homeless shelter in the area. The groups are still collecting money and hope to raise a total of $500 for this cause. The solidarity sleep out included a presentation by the Faces of Homelessness, which is run by Hands on Hartford. Two individuals from the homelessness advocacy group spoke about their own first-hand accounts of homeless. “Both of the men that spoke had been successful in their careers,” said Karlson. “This really showed the youth how one change in their life led them to being without a home.” Hearing from the […]
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