How Can Faculty and Staff Help?

Identification of students in homeless situations is the first step to ensuring that these students receive the services to which they are entitled and that will support them in succeeding in school (NAEHCY).

Our students have indicated that they try their best to be invisible so people would not see the severity of their situation. They also shared with us that they sometimes sleep in class or in the library, because they sleep on people's couches or living room floors, and have to wait until everyone in the house goes to sleep and leaves the area before they could settle down for the night. On a positive note, our students are tenacious, want to succeed and graduate in four years without exorbitant debt.

Here are some Dos and Don'ts for helping students towards services:

• Don't ask about their situation in the presence of others.
• Don't pressure or force them to accept help.
• Don't point out their shortcomings in front of others.
• Don't berate them for not getting help right away.

• Do confidentially support our students to the STAR program if they disclose to you and agree to get help
• Do review the ‘Common signs of homelessness' tab on this page.
• Do accompany or give precise directions and contact information.
• Do encourage the student to utilize office hours and talk to you about his/her progress. Sometimes asking for help and support is difficult and something that they have grown tired of doing over the years, as they strive to become independent.