Three Rivers Increases Resources For Homeless Students

NORWICH, CT - From Three Rivers Community College: Recent studies show that up to half of community college students are housing insecure and 14 percent are homeless, so securing resources to assist its students is a priority at Three Rivers Community College. The College is excited to announce that it has been awarded a $7,000 grant by the Melville Charitable Trust to fund expenses related to the educational and employment goals of homeless students. In addition to the grant funding, Three Rivers is participating in the Youth Count Survey as part of the 2018 CT Coalition to End Homelessness and has named a point person for homelessness on campus.

The grant comes from the Employment and Educational Opportunity Fund, and provides modest, highly flexible support for essential educational expenses of homeless or formerly homeless individuals. Three Rivers President Mary Ellen Jukoski responded to the news saying, “given the increase in homelessness, this is important news for the college and our students.”

Marjorie Valentin, Associate Dean Workforce and Community Education, added, “Three Rivers Community College is thankful to receive support from the Melville Charitable Trust to assist our homeless and formally homeless students. This funding will help the College’s most vulnerable population with daily living costs such as transportation, daycare, food, books and shelter so they can continue their educational pathway and obtain sustainable employment.”

Three Rivers has named Sharon Lincoln, a Student Support Specialist, the point person for homeless students on campus. Lincoln’s role is to ensure that students have access to resources that will help them be successful students. This can include connecting them with the food pantry, scholarships, off campus resources and more. Lincoln will also act as the team lead when Three Rivers participates in the Connecticut Coalition to End Homelessness 2018 CT Youth Count.

In January, the Youth Count will kick off its third year to help identify homeless and unstably housed youth, many of whom never enter homeless shelters. Three Rivers is collaborating with the Coalition to attain a comprehensive count to understand better the scope of the magnitude, needs, and demographics of homeless youth in CT.

If you are a student who needs help finding food or shelter, or if you know a student who might, please contact Sharon Lincoln at 860-215-9264 to set up a consultation.

Photo by Redd Angelo via Unsplash