Students in Sherri Thomas’s seventh and eighth grade Social Studies class at Tipton Durant Middle School (TDMS) just completed a project that taught them first-hand the importance of fostering a spirit of kindness and empathy.

The students, in partnership with Alpha Phi Alpha (APA), Thomas Accounting and Ebenezer Missionary Baptist Church, have been working to raise funds to help the homeless since the beginning of the school year in August.

The project, known as the Face of Homelessness Community Service Project, has been is in its third year and is used as a way of teaching the students the importance of giving and effects of homelessness.

“I’m a stickler for projects and I love community service,” Thomas said. “I wanted a way for my students to be involved in their community and be aware of the problems in their community and help alleviate some of those problems.”

Thomas noted that the project is personal to her as she has a brother who was formerly homeless.

“I believe young people need to understand that in this world you don’t live by yourself,” said Billy Young, President of APA. “You have a responsibility to help your fellow man.”

The students raised $300 in monetary contributions from Ebenezer Missionary and APA and $216 worth of purchased items from Thomas Accounting. In addition to that, students raised an additional $144 on their own.

“That truly is giving because it’s straight from them,” Young said.

The money raised went directly to support for the work of the Edmundite Missions, as did the supplies of clothing and hygiene items purchased by Thomas Accounting.

“I love to see any organization band together to serve others,” said Edmundite Missions President and CEO Chad McEachern. “But when it’s children, that is particularly close to my heart and to the charisma of the Edmundite Missions.”

The money raised by the students will provide meals for more than 165 people at the Missions’ Bosco Nutrition Center.

The clothing and other items will go to the organization’s Boutique and More ministry, which allows for people to find “high-quality clothing, housewares and more” at no charge. The boutique is located at 1010 Minter Avenue.

“It may sound cliché, but Selma’s children really are our greatest resource,” McEachern said. “My heart is brightened to see these kids open their hearts and care for others. I know we are in good hands with this next generation.”

More than simply succeeding in doing a good deed, Thomas said her students learned from the experience as well. The students were asked to share their perspectives before the project began and, throughout the effort, researched the causes of homelessness and heard from community leaders actively involved with the homeless community.

“I watched perspectives change,” Thomas said. “It’s not always a decision that a person made that causes them to be homeless. There are people with PhDs that are homeless. There are people that are working that are homeless. It can really happen to anyone.”

While Thomas applauds the students for their efforts and the contributions they were able to make to needy people in the community, she has higher hopes for her students now that the project has reached its conclusion.

“The assistance shouldn’t end today,” Thomas said. “It should continue throughout their lives.”