BCC Nursing Students and Faculty Gain Insight into Homelessness at Inaugural Overnight Sleep-out Simulation

On Friday, October 25, three Brunswick Community College nursing students and two faculty members participated in a transformative Sleep-out and Poverty Simulation event, organized by Brunswick Partnership for Housing at Cape Fear Jetport in Southport, NC. This overnight experience aimed to raise awareness about homelessness in Brunswick County by immersing participants in the difficult realities many face daily.

Each participant was given a new identity reflecting varied circumstances of those experiencing homelessness in the community. One of these participants, Nduwimana Maherhero, a student in BCC’s Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) to Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) program, took on the role of a 16-year-old pregnant teenager responsible for her 10-year-old brother. Her character also faced an uncertain relationship with the “father” of her child, who was nearing homelessness himself. Reflecting on the experience, Maherhero shared, “It’s easy to make assumptions about people’s situations from the outside. But taking on the role of a young, pregnant girl with no support, a brother to care for, and nowhere to turn really opened my eyes to how alone it can feel. It’s an experience that’s going to make me a better nurse because now I understand how these situations can happen and how hard it can be to turn things around. I’ll be more sensitive to the realities and hopelessness that my patients might be facing.”

Rebecca Walters, a BCC instructor, portrayed a 21-year-old single mother with a 1-year-old child, living with a partner who was a convicted felon. With neither of them employed, she struggled to access the resources her character desperately needed. “I felt the frustration of navigating a system that’s supposed to help but isn’t always accessible,” Walters explained. “My character was sent to the Department of Health three times just to get the right information. With no money, no child care, and no work experience, it became clear how challenging and demoralizing this can be. As a healthcare provider, this experience will help me recognize the signs of someone in need or those afraid to ask for help because of shame or fear. It’s changed my perspective and helped me recognize the biases we all can carry when we see someone struggling.”

Other BCC participants included students Janna Plummer and Nick Campana, as well as instructor Tammy Parrella, who joined in the overnight simulation, sleeping in makeshift shelters—boxes, tents, and cars—with only donated bagged lunches for food.

This powerful simulation revealed the complexities surrounding homelessness and poverty, reinforcing Brunswick Community College’s commitment to fostering empathy and understanding among students and faculty. By stepping into the shoes of those in need for just one night, BCC’s participants walked away with a deeper sense of empathy, a commitment to removing biases, and a renewed determination to advocate for their community’s most vulnerable members. We are grateful to the Brunswick Partnership for Housing for championing this experience.

Follow the link to see coverage by WECT News https://www.wect.com/2024/10/26/first-ever-15-hour-countywide-sleepout-poverty-simulation-held-brunswick-county/

October 2024