Juniors, Sindu Soundararajan and Samantha Raymond, are starting the Project H.O.M.E. Club this year, to help the homeless in Philadelphia. It is an outgrowth of experiences that the students share with Project H.O.M.E. We caught up with Sindu and Sam and had a chance to sit down for an interview.

Harriton Banner: What is Project H.O.M.E.?

Sindu Soundararajan and Samantha Raymond: Project H.O.M.E. stands for housing, opportunities for employment, medical care, and education. The organization works to provide the homeless population in Philadelphia affordable housing and services like career advice, medical care, and useful classes to help them break free from the cycle of poverty.

HB: Why did you want to start to start the Project H.O.M.E. Club at Harriton?

Sam: I got involved with Project H.O.M.E. when Dr. DiMattia send out an email last year talking about the opportunity to get involved in their summer program. I instantly loved everything about the organization. I applied for their summer program, was accepted, but unfortunately was unable to attend.

Sindu: I  learned about Project H.O.M.E. during challenge last year. My class decided to focus on public health organizations around the city and stumbled across Project H.O.M.E. We were absolutely amazed at all that the organization provides for homeless people- from career advising classes to zumba lessons, Project H.O.M.E. definitely covers so many activities and services that we so often take for granted. Margie Winters and Hyacinth (a current resident at Project H.O.M.E.) came in to speak with our challenge class about the impact the Project H.O.M.E. has on the community. I was absolutely inspired by the discussion we had with the two representatives and knew that I wanted to help the organization in anyway possible!

Sindu and Sam: We both got to talking about the Project H.O.M.E. one day during the wonderful lunch and learn, and discovered our mutual interest in it. We began thinking about starting a club immediately as a way to continue our involvement and give back to the unique organization. After meeting with our current club sponsor, Dr. DiMattia last year, we spent time planning out possible activities and spread the word to peers.

HB: What will you do in the club?

Sindu and Sam: We have a plethora of activities that we are planning right now including Thanksgiving food drives, holiday gift fundraisers for the residents at Project H.O.M.E., care package assemblies for those living on the streets, and meetings with current residents to share the importance of the organization to all our club members. Because it is our first year, we are open to new ideas and suggestions for activities to serve the homeless from club members.

HB: How is this club different than the other service clubs at Harriton?

Sindu and Sam: We created this club in the hopes that we could aid Project H.O.M.E.’s mission. This club addresses homelessness specifically not just service in general. The city of Philadelphia is just minutes away but Harriton students and the kids of Project H.O.M.E. residents live lives that are worlds apart. Project H.O.M.E., unlike other service clubs at Harriton, works to connect those two worlds by helping a community that is often overlooked.

HB: How can people join the club? What kind of students are you looking for?

Sindu and Sam: Anyone can join the club by emailing Samantha Raymond or Sinduri Soundararajan! We welcome everyone who is excited and willing to help a cause that will make a difference in the community. We want as many people to share the joy and aid that we are trying to spread through Project H.O.M.E.