It's no secret. Elkhart County has one of the highest unemployment rates in the state.

As a consequence of the shrinking economy, there’s been a rise in the number of people and families who are homeless. On Friday, Michiana can help make a change.

The Elkhart County Homeless Coalition is hosting Box City 2009. This year’s theme is “Have a Heart. Make a Change.” Box City is an all-day event raising awareness about homelessness. From 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. representatives from local organizations and agencies will form a city of boxes on Elkhart’s Civic Plaza to try and “walk in the shoes of the homeless.”

They will also show the movie “The Soloist,” starring Jamie Foxx and Robert Downey Jr., which showcases the social problem of homelessness in the U.S. The movie will be shown at New Life Community Church, located at 210 S. Main Street in Elkhart. It starts at 7 p.m. on Friday. To get into the movie, you must bring a non-perishable food item or a piece of winter clothing like a coat, gloves, or hat to donate.

This week, November 15-21, is National Homelessness Awareness Week. Box City 2009 is co-sponsored by the National Coalition for the Homeless and the National Student Campaign against Hunger and Homelessness. All donations received at the event will be distributed in Elkhart County.