Students to Take First-Hand Look at Urban Poverty

From today to January 7th, six Notre Dame students from the Pittsburgh region will participate in an “Urban Plunge” program to learn about poverty in the local community. Over the next 48 hours, the students will travel to some 14 different shelters and activism groups volunteering their time and speaking with leaders of local agencies and those individuals afflicted with poverty. Pittsburgh Plunge Coordinator Gretchen Jeserc says the variety of organizations the students will visit will demonstrate the different ways people can help. Nicole Gans, a participant in the program, says she hopes to learn about local problems and how people can help solve them. Nationally, 200 students will participate at 42 Urban Plunge sites in 38 cities. 2009 marks the 31st years for the Pittsburgh Plunge.