A Night in an Outsider's Shoes

We are students in a class at East Aurora High School entitled “Survivor Literature.”  In this class we have been studying literature from major historical events where survival was at a premium.  This year we have become interested in poverty that is currently taking place all around the world.  We have read the book, There Are No Children Here by Alex Kotlowitz, which details two young boys growing up in a poverty stricken area in Chicago.  As a class we have decided that we would like to fundraise for people in our schools and community that are in need.


To raise the funds, as well as to raise awareness for what people deal with on a daily basis, we have created the “A Night in an Outsider’s Shoes” sleep out for which approximately 135 students and faculty members will spend the night sleeping out on the East High football field.  The purpose is to not only raise money and awareness, but also to help us better feel what living a life in need is like. 


We have set out class goal at $15,000 – which we plan to contribute to families in our district as well as to the Hesed House, the homeless shelter in Aurora.