Makennah Murphy, president of the Odette Commerce Society, helped organize the Five Day Challenge for Homelessness in support of the City of Windsor’s Homelessness and Housing Help Hub (H4). (VICTOR ROMAO/University of Windsor)
By Victor Romao
The Odette Commerce Society (OCS) is launching a five-day series of student-led efforts next week to raise awareness and proceeds for individuals experiencing homelessness in Windsor and Essex County.
Running from March 16 to 20, the Five Day Challenge for Homelessness brings together students, community partners and local organizations in support of the City of Windsor’s Homelessness and Housing Help Hub (H4).
All proceeds raised during the week will go directly to H4, which provides essential daytime services and connections to community supports.
OCS president and event organizer Makennah Murphy said a course project and site tour with H4 shaped the decision to lead the effort.
“Last year, I worked with H4 through my Enterprise Development Consulting class and toured the site,” she said. “Seeing everything firsthand really humanized the cause for me, and that experience made me want to take it on as my own.”
Murphy added that the concept drew on similar “Five Days” models she observed at student leadership conferences and that she wanted to adapt on campus.
She aimed to “bridge those two worlds together and bring a Five Days chapter here, connected to a cause I was already familiar with.”
Week at a glance
Activities begin on March 16 with Coffee for a Cause, hosted at the OCS office from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., with a minimum $1 donation and a reflection prompt on “What does home mean to you?” The event is supported by Tim Hortons, the WindsorEssex Community Foundation and AM800 CKLW.
On March 17, students are invited to Letters of Hope, also from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the OCS office. Participants will write messages of encouragement that will be shared with community members in need.
On March 18, Walk in Their Shoes features a five-kilometre campus walk from 3 to 6 p.m., starting at David A. Wilson Commons; participants are asked to register with a $10 pledge supporting H4 services.
The centrepiece event is a Lunch and Learn on March 19 from noon to 1:30 p.m.
The session will feature a panel of civic and agency leaders working directly in homelessness response, including representatives from the City of Windsor, Hotel-Dieu Grace Healthcare, the Canadian Mental Health Association, Windsor Regional Hospital, Windsor Police Service and H4.
The week concludes March 20 with a Dodgeball Tournament at the Toldo Lancer Centre from 4 to 8 p.m. Teams of six to 10 can register for $30; spectator admission is a canned good or $5 donation.
Murphy said the week is designed to encourage reflection and informed engagement.
“There are so many misconceptions about homelessness. I hope students can pause judgment until they’ve taken the time to learn,” she said. “By attending, students can see the facilities H4 offers, the support provided in the community and meaningful ways to get involved.”
Windsor opened the Homelessness and Housing Help Hub (H4) in April 2020 in response to pandemic-related service closures.
Located in the former Windsor Water World building, it offers a safe daytime drop-in space, essential services, basic medical care and connections to community supports. The City of Windsor is currently identifying potential locations for a new Housing Hub.