About 60 people camped out on the grounds of the Newman Center Friday night in cardboard boxes during the “Shanty Village Sleepout,” a hands-on experience to raise awareness of homelessness.

NIU’s Student Ministry Team and the Youth Ministry Program from DeKalb and Sycamore high schools camped out from 6 p.m. Friday to 9:30 a.m. Saturday.

The event was held to kick off the Youth Ministry Program, said Pat Mulheran, campus minister of the Newman Center.

Participants made shanties from rope, tape, boxes, plastic and scissors.

Participants also heard from a former homeless man, José Corralejo.

DeKalb resident Corralejo spoke about growing up in Mexico and moving to the United States. Corralejo lived in Mexico with his family of 13 in a box made of wood and cardboard for 10 years.

As a boy, Corralejo said his classmates teased him because he wore the same clothes for five years

He said he would often look through the garbage for clothes, shoes and sometimes food.

“I would say ‘yes’ to everything in hope that someone would give me something,” Corralejo said.

Today, Corralejo is employed, married and a homeowner.

Students who participated in the event said they thought it was a good experience.

“This is a great lesson for us to see how much we have,” said Father Michael Black of the Newman Center.

Low-income housing in DeKalb

and surrounding area

DeKalb County Youth Services

330 Grove St.

DeKalb

748-2010

Family Projects- Mason Court Apartments

275 N. Cross St.

Sycamore

895-4929

Golden Years Plaza

507 E. Taylor St.

DeKalb

758-4396

Gideon Court Apartments

1325 W. Lincoln Highway

DeKalb

758-1320

Housing Authority of DeKalb County

310 N. Sixth St.

DeKalb

758-2692

Section 8/rent subsidy

758-0958

Hope Haven

DeKalb County Homeless Shelter

1145 Rushmore Drive

DeKalb

758-3166

Salvation Army

830 Grove St.

DeKalb

756-4308

University Village Apartments

702 N. Annie Glidden Road

DeKalb

756-3822

758-7859

NIU Student Housing

Office of Student Housing Services

Neptune East

DeKalb

753-1525

Nancy J. Smith American Red Cross Homeless Shelter

809 Cedar St.

Rockford

963-8471