Three nights on a roof were not going to change much, but it did help raise awareness in the community and in Riverside Mission's Executive Director.

 

 Scott Elger spent the last 3 nights sleeping in a cardboard box on the roof of the mission.

 

 He said he wasn't doing it to try and replicate homelessness, as he knew he always had a place to go at the end of the 3 nights. It was to help show people in the community that may not know that there are people who don't have a place to sleep every night.

 

Elger said he learned a lot while living up there. It highlighted some things we don't normally think of.

 

“I am realizing that, even though my experience was really good because we had a strong element of control. But people on the street don't,” Elger said.

 

Another thing he discovered was the importance of the right attitude towards those who are less fortunate.

 

“We still need to be compassionate. Sometimes (being homeless) is not in their control, sometimes it is. So whether circumstances get better or they can make better decisions for themselves, I think we would do well to excel in compassion.”

 

Elger said their biggest need right now is for people to partner with them for monthly donations so that they can continue serving the homeless and less fortunate in the community with food and shelter.

 

He kept a blog during his time on the roof which you can check out here. You can also see ways that you can help Riverside Mission on there website right here.