By Brian Chepulis

                According to a 2009 study done by Wilder Research, on any given night, approximately 760 people are homeless in the Fargo-Moorhead area and almost half are “long term homeless.” “Going Home” a 10 year plan to end homelessness in the Fargo-Moorhead area says this, “Homelessness is not just a social service issue – it is a community issue with serious individual and community costs.” No one understands these costs more than Moorhead resident, Sydney Cote.

                Sydney Cote is currently enrolled in the Social Work program at Minnesota State University Moorhead. Cote currently volunteers at the Dorothy Day Food Pantry in Moorhead and works at Red River Human Services Foundation. Dorothy Day Food Pantry is an organization that distributes free food to poor and homeless families in the community. DDFP is also associated with Dorothy Day House of Hospitality Inc., a shelter for the homeless.

                “Girl Scouts has been a huge inspiration for me, it was what opened my eyes to see how one person can make such a difference.”

                Cote has always enjoyed helping people and once she found out about the growing homelessness rates in the F-M area she was inspired to a life of helping people begin their journey toward self reliance. After graduation she wishes to be involved in helping the homeless and in the future aspires to open a homeless shelter in a community that needs it.

                Cote was born in Bottineau, ND to Jeff and Patty Cote. At the age of four her family made the move to Devils Lake. After high school she earned her associates degree from Lake Region State College in Devils Lake. She is now attending MSUM working towards a degree in social work.