Student Voice Alliance discusses homelessness in St. Joseph, elects new student leaders
ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (KQTV) -- The Student Voice Alliance had its monthly meeting at City Hall Wednesday morning.
The group focused on how to tackle homelessness in St. Joseph. Community Missions, Executive Director Rachael Bittiker and the St. Joseph Police Department talked to the students about homelessness.
Bitterker explained to the students how the city is addressing the issue. She talked about different available resources, homeless camps and shared data about the homeless population in the city.
The students asked questions about different resources that could be added to help the homeless population.
Some of the ideas mentioned were providing transportation, jobs and educating the youth more on what homelessness actually is.
At the end of the meeting, the students voted on the Chair and the Vice Chair positions
Jacey Jackson, a junior at Lafayette High School, was elected Chair. Marley Meek, a freshman at Lafayette High School, was elected Vice Chair.
"As a freshman to get this opportunity, and I just think it’s cool because in my mind before doing this, the police department was separate from all the other things, but now knowing the city is one unit is really cool,” she said.
Jackson said being elected into the position is exciting.
“I didn’t know how everything was connected. I think it’s very exciting that we get to connect and get an input on everything that’s going on,” she said.
Meek said the conversation during the meeting helped her understand more of what homeness is.
"I feel homelessness is an issue for the whole United States, but I think it is good to educate the youth about homelessness,” Meek said.
Jackson said she was glad to meet people involved in addressing homelessness in St. Joseph.
"I haven’t heard about a lot of the things were doing in the community. I think it’s very important we put that out,” she said.
The next meeting has not been scheduled for May, but students will discuss beautifying Downtown.
