Urgent Challenges Collective Hosts Homelessness and Food Insecurity Action Week, Sept. 22-25

The second Homelessness and Food Insecurity Action Week will run from September 22-25 and will feature six different events — all virtual presentations — covering housing election ballot issues, guest speakers, a tie-in with the 2020-21 USD Just Read! Program and a chance for students to connect with potential community service organizations.

This week’s events, hosted by The Urgent Challenges Collective, is supported by multiple campus entities including the USD Votes initiative, the Center for Educational Excellence, Changemaker Hub, the Center for Ethics, Economics, and Public Policy, the Mulvaney Center for Community, Awareness and Social Action, and the Frances G. Harpst Center for Catholic Thought and Culture.

The Urgent Challenges Collective is led by Mike Williams, PhD, a professor in the Political Science and International Relations Department and director of USD's Changemaker Hub, and Kate DeConinck, adjunct assistant professor for the Theology and Religious Studies Department.

Here’s the breakdown of the week’s events. Attendees are encouraged to register 24 hours in advance of the event to obtain the Zoom link.

Tuesday, Sept. 22

Understanding the Upcoming Ballot Measure on Affordable Housing, 1:15-2:15 p.m.

Discussion with Stephen Russell, executive director for the San Diego Housing Federation. Register now.

Wednesday, Sept. 23

Fighting for Housing: In Conversation with Conor Dougherty, 1-2 p.m.

The author of the 2020-21 USD Just Read! book, Golden Gates: Fighting for Housing in America, does a moderated Q&A. Dougherty is an economics and housing reporter for The New York Times. Register now.

Housing and Food Access Resource Fair — People Assisting the Homeless (PATH) and Think Dignity, 2:30-3:30 p.m.

This is the first of three events during the week to connect students with local community partners who do work in the areas of housing or food insecurity. Students can learn about the featured organizations' work, find out about current/upcoming virtual engagement opportunities or internships, and ask questions. Approved for 1 Compass/Passport/Connect point. Register now.

Thursday, Sept. 24

USD Just Read! Event: The Catholic Worker Movement: Then and Now, A Call to Action, 12:30-1:30 p.m.

In the midst of the Great Depression, Dorothy Day co-founded the Catholic Worker, a movement of people inspired by the teachings of Jesus to address poverty, war, religious and racial injustice, and more. Join in on a conversation with local members of the San Diego Catholic Worker to discuss the life and legacy of Dorothy Day, the work of the Catholic Worker movement historically and today, and Catholic responses to homelessness in our city. Register now. Attendees are encouraged to watch Dorothy Day: Don't Call Me a Saint (2007) before this event. View the film for free by signing in with your USD email address to this link: https://video.sandiego.edu/Watch/Gt6q9B8T

Friday, Sept. 25

Housing and Food Access Resource Fair — Ebenezer Church, Feeding San Diego and USD Food Pantry, 11 a.m. to noon

This is the second of three events to connect students with local community partners who do work in housing or food insecurity. Students can learn about the organizations' work, find out about current/upcoming virtual engagement opportunities or internships, and ask questions. Approved for 1 Compass/Passport/Connect point. Register now.

Housing and Food Access Resource Fair — Father Joe’s Villages and Yes on Measure A, 2-3 p.m.

This is the last of three events to connect students with local community partners who do work in housing or food insecurity. Students can learn about the organizations' work, find out about current/upcoming virtual engagement opportunities or internships, and ask questions. Approved for 1 Compass/Passport/Connect point. Register now.

— USD News Center

Video below captures events from last year's inaugural Homelessness and Food Insecurity Awareness Week at USD.