http://bloximages.newyork1.vip.townnews.com/csucauldron.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/3/1c/31c47d14-76d4-11e5-99cd-1fc4cb562248/5625ab70014b8.image.jpg?resize=728%2C305wIntro:
Homelessness is a huge issue in our daily society, from the unfortunate homeless people at Skid Row to the ones right next to where you live. We see it almost everyday, but who would have thought in seeing it at Universities, where everyone looks ok while seeking for their education, to obtain a career in the long run. We at times stereo type the homeless, as individuals who do not like to work or who have an addiction to alcohol or some sort of drug. We never imagine finding hard working people struggle with this issue. The sad part is, the individual sitting next to me in class at Cal State LA can be homeless and nobody knows. This is a very important issue because being a Cal State student I feel we all struggle for our education, and being homeless does not help.
Action: As a college student, I know and understand that college is tough in many ways, such as tuition, which is very high. I stand in creating awareness for this issue, the same way as colleges ask from us a lot, they should provide programs to help their own students.
Research:
Homeless students in the CSU system was not known until February of last year (2015) when a study commissioned by Cal State Chancellor Timothy P. White, brought in results and awareness on this issue. The study informed that it was difficult to obtain an accurate report of students who are homeless. You may ask yourself why? Well, on a News article "Study Says that 1in 10 Cal State Students are Homeless" by Tim Loc, it is because many students do not consider they are homeless, especially those who are "couch-surfing or living in their cars" according to Rashida Crutchfield, who is an assistant professor in the School of Social Work at Cal State Long Beach. There are others who are embarrassed to say they are homeless. Therefore, making it difficult to see who is in need. Not only are many of this students in need of a shelter, but most of the time they are in need of food.
On an article "1 in 10 Cal State students is homeless, study finds" by Rosanna Xia, the study by Rashida is broken up furthermore, making it easy to understand the severity of the problem. Xia states, that out of 460,000 California State University students about "one in 10 are homeless". Moreover, one in five doesn't have steady access to enough food. The homeless and shelter problem is an several issue that needs to be fixed. Chancellor White, said in a conference back in June 2016 "We're going to find solutions that we can take to scale". The problem was hidden, but now that it is know, many individuals including other students and administrators see it as their task to fix this problem, and fix it right.
References:
Xia, R. (2016, June 20). 1 in 10 Cal State students is homeless, study finds.
Retrieved from
http://www.latimes.cm/local/lanow/la-me-cal-state-homelessness-20160620-snap-story.html
Loc, T. (2016, June 20). Study Says that 1 in 10 Cal State Students Are Homeless.
Retrieved from
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http://laist.com/2016/06/20/homeless_cal_state.php
Personal:
It is very important for me to bring awareness about this issue because it is something unheard of. When my counselor professor mention that 1 in every 10 CSU students are homeless, I was in shock. It is unbelievable, that a lot of students are going through something that should not exist. They are trying to overcome all obstacles and become successful, but unfortunately along the way it just becomes harder. We hear quiet often the importance of eating well and sleeping well for our health, this students sometimes do not get any of it.
Approximately last year, I found an old friend from High School at Cal State LA, I was already leaving to class and she said she was just waiting for her gap to pass, to go to class. It was a cold day, I had gone to get myself a hot chocolate and a snack. While talking to her she told me she had not eaten all day, it was about 4 p.m. when we started talking. She had a terrible head-ache, I offer her the snack I had, she was very thankful. She started opening up to me, saying that most days she would maybe eat only once. I asked her if she was soon to graduate, she said no for the past three years at Cal State LA she had become stuck in the general ed classes. She could not find a job, she mentioned she was trying to join the Marines, because she just wanted money to continue her education and to be able to have for her food.
Months later I come to know that she no longer attended Cal State LA. Her bad grades had caused CSULA to kick her out. That touched me because I know she is a smart individual, because of life circumstances her grades went down. I believe that in situations like this, administrators should see why students grades are low, not assume that it is because of lack of study. I find it very important to support my friend and anyone else I may find a long the way. We are all struggling for our education, and the students who are homeless needs more of our help and support. I can only come yo think that like her there are other students with children, I have personally struggle a lot with school and my two year old. I have a place to call home and food, while there are others with children who are the ones that become more affected. It is very important to see ways to help this college students.
Community Members:
Selvin Ralda,
"I stand in finding ways to help CSU Homeless students, as well as homeless all around me."
Alexis Luis
Maria Sanchez
"No student should have to stress out about being homeless. Their focus should be on educating themselves."
Professor Rose Gaw
"This is an issue that we all should be more aware of. We should try and be of help to end homelessness"
Diana Maldonado
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