• They struggle with balancing work and student life. • They struggle with reliable transportation. • While typically these students come from low-income families, more of these students grew up in middle-income families. • They understand on-campus services available to them but are less familiar with local or community services. Something’s Gotta Give P erhaps student homelessness is overlooked because the public doesn’t really under- stand how it can happen. How can someone make the decision to take on the expense and give up full-time em- ployment for full-time studies? The an- swer is, more often than not, they can’t. Homelessness among college students typically comes as a last resort because adding the pressure of academic achievement to the stress of finding food, money, or a safe place to sleep simply doesn’t pan out. It isn’t typically a long-term problem—students either make decisions day-to-day, find long-term help, change their situations, or eventually drop out and bear the costs of unfinished degrees. Like other homeless populations, hope for the homeless student lies in creating awareness. For the local rescue mission and other service organizations, partnerships with area schools may help the community as a whole understand how much of a concern there is for the housing and food needs of students. Even students who may come into a rescue mission may not identify themselves as someone in need of help. A joint effort of outreach with the academic institution could send the message that students are, indeed, determined but vulnerable members of a community that can offer help and hope. As institutions conduct more research on the status of their students, the Center for Online Education reports that campuses are providing more services for those with food and housing issues: academic advisors specifically for homeless students, health services and tutoring for unshel- tered students, on-campus food pantries, year-round campus housing, transportation, or special work-study opportunities. Trending on campuses today are “Academic Retention Centers,” designed to offer support for academically at-risk students and increase graduation retention. For the students, being self-aware and honest about their situations means they are more apt to learn about the help that’s out there. When they are able to reverse stigmas and overcome the embarrassment of being homeless, they can seek shelter, safety, and emotional and spiritual support from community resources. Whether students are continuing a lifelong battle with finding food or shelter and seeking higher education as the solution for a way out, or whether the students are struggling with homelessness for the first time or unexpectedly, homeless students have one thing in common—the drive to get their education at all costs. They are often the first of their generation to seek a college-level degree, and they see the benefits despite the financial risks. With financial, emotional, and spiritual guidance alongside academic advise- ment, perhaps this unnoticed population may find recognition and a way forward for a bright future.  36 WWW.CITYGATENETWORK.ORG MAY/JUNE 2019 Helen lives in Loveland, Colorado, and has been a writer, editor, and online content developer for more than 20 years. She is a part of the Langham Partnership USA communications team, and works as a consultant on communications for nonprofits and ministries with Cedarstone Partners. She can be reached at htgoody@gmail.com. Even students who may come into a rescue mission may not identify themselves as someone in need of help. A joint effort of outreach with the academic institution could send the message that students are, indeed, determined but vulnerable members of a community that can offer help and hope.