The Argonaut

Issue date: 10/18/07 Section: News

Children from the Tenderloin Playground dunk for donuts at last year's Halloween party

For the 11th year, a Halloween festival in the city will provide children in the Tenderloin with a safe and fun holiday.

Coordinated efforts from NDNU students and staff, San Francisco Tenderloin residents, human service providers, local San Francisco businesses and police will come together to give the kids an unforgettable event filled with candy, games and laughs.

NDNU's involvement in the Tenderloin began in 1995 when Professor Don Stannard-Friel began field research in the high-crime, low-income district he lived and worked in as a young man. His passion for service and social justice fueled the concept and implementation of programs and events in the Tenderloin for residents.

The connections made in the area led to partnerships with numerous service providers in providing safe and fun events and services for residents of these communities.

The Streetwise Sociology class spends one night a week in the city organizing events for neighborhood residents in areas like the Tenderloin to provide residents with fun and safe activities.

"They are the organizing group and do a great job with the events" says Dr. Don.

Events on campus like College Night organized by the Streetwise class offers youth from troubled areas and backgrounds a chance at a college education by providing tools and information on how to get into college.

Taking service one step further, the Streetwise class spends ample time on each event organizing and planning. For the Halloween event alone, a minimum of 70 volunteers are required in the planning and implementing stages. The class does what it can to provide most of the services, but recruits outside organizations and school volunteers to help make Halloween fun for the kids.

In the past, the First Year Experience students were asked to participate in the event as a course requirement. However, the event welcomes all volunteers and encourages students, faculty and staff of all areas to come and join in the fun. Whether it be setting up or actually interacting with the children, volunteers find the experience to be fun and meaningful.

"The kids were very nice and seemed like they were having a good time," says Natalie Albanese, a participant in past years.

Interacting and watching the kids enjoy the games, activities and food provided by the students of NDNU and outside organizations like the Hilton Hotel, which donated all of the hot dogs and treats for over 400 hungry kids, is one of the best parts of the event.

"I think it's an experience we should all have, especially as a freshman, because it introduces you to the communities around the city," says Albanese.

Come and get to know the kids in the Tenderloin and make their Halloween great. Information about signing up for the event is available through the Streetwise Sociology class and instructor Dr. Don.

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