This exhibit is sharing stories of Tarrant County students experiencing homelessness
As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to put people at risk of facing insecurities with basic needs, a Tarrant County exhibit is highlighting college students who experience homelessness.
A report by The Hope Center for College, Community and Justice at Temple University found that three in five college students across the country experienced insecurity with basic needs during the pandemic. Basic needs can be food, housing and employment.
CoAct is a social impact organization working to generate creative and inclusive solutions to problems facing the Fort Worth area. Its latest project is using a traveling art installation and virtual experience to help the public understand homelessness.
Jesse Herrera, founder of CoAct, said youth involved with the Tarrant County Homeless Coalition told the organization they wanted to be a part of telling their experiences to the public.
“One of the things that they brought to our attention is that there is not really a space where they can share these stories,” Herrera said. “Where they can be their authentic selves and they can share these stories without fear, judgment or retaliation.”
The upcoming exhibit will feature real stories of college students experiencing the issue while struggling to balance their education. The Real Stories exhibit will take place Nov. 15-20 at the Tarrant County College Trinity River campus. A public reception will be held on Nov. 18 at 6 p.m.
Giving college students a voice
CoAct, created in 2020, has worked to create solutions in a variety of areas in the community, including addressing food insecurity through urban agriculture.
Grow Southeast, a partner with CoAct, has helped Fort Worth residents like the Nuñez family create a farm in the Glencrest neighborhood. The family is using their urban farm to address food insecurity in their neighborhood and help others learn the benefits of a healthy diet.
With its latest project, CoAct found that many students experiencing homelessness don’t have a strong support system or financial stability. Herrera said some students are unwilling to seek help or share their story due to the bias surrounding the issue.
The exhibit will show interactive panels that will show data and stories from Tarrant County College. During the reception, students will be telling their stories on a stage. CoAct hopes this will give the public better understanding on the issue.
One of the stories the public will hear is Qua Glenn’s. He left his home due to not having a good relationship with his mother in 2018. A high school teacher connected him to a social worker who led him to a homeless shelter.
“It’s not just about putting a roof over your head, but it is really about having a support system,” Herrera said. “It really is about keeping an open ear and listening and it’s about creating spaces where we can share stories safely.”
During the pandemic, Catholic Charities of Fort Worth saw how Tarrant County College students were struggling with staying in school. Its Stay the Course program helps low-income students stay in school when challenges outside the classroom may prompt them to drop out.
The program helped more than 130 students with utilities, more than 200 with food assistance requests and roughly 160 with rent and mortgage. Additional students needed assistance with child care and diapers, transportation and technology.
When telling people about the issue, CoAct is often told that homelessness doesn’t happen at four-year institutions. But when talking to students, Herrera said CoAct finds out that is not the case.
More students at four-year institutions experienced homelessness due to the pandemic than students at two-year institutions, according to The Hope Center’s report. The center also found that 44% of students at two-year and 38% at four-year institutions experienced food insecurity.
“Most of the people that experience homelessness aren’t very different than you or me,” Herrera said. “The only thing they lack, that we have, is that pivotal support figure.”
This story was originally published November 9, 2021 at 5:30 AM.
