Members of the NIU Veterans Association pitched tents in front of the Holmes student center Wednesday for a 24-hour camp under the stars.
Dressed like the homeless and holding several cardboard signs, their goal was to bring attentions to the difficulties veterans have finding housing after their tours of duty. Vice President and Marine Jesus Arteaga says there can be issues when vets come home.
"You’re used to fighting a war overseas and you come home. They don’t really have a job for that; fighting. You’re out there looking for a job. They’re dealing with a lot of mental health issues also, so it’s hard to find work sometimes," he says.
He also says 11% of homeless adults are veterans
The group also took donations for the Midwest Center for Homeless Veterans, a shelter in Wheaton. Last year, when the NIU Veterans Association first held this camp-out, they managed to raise $2000.