Rising from Concrete Jungles: How Georgia State can Effectively Serve Homeless and Foster Care College Students—and the Overall Homeless PopulationBy Snotti Prince St. Cyr—Junior, Exercise Science major and Mathematics minor

My Current/Rudimentary Objectives• Explain the “tipping point(s)” that convinced me to address

Atlanta’s homelessness problem;• address the impact that my personal history has on this social

problem;• explain the stereotypes and issues I am currently combating;

and• convey possible immediate and long-term solutions that can

demonstrate effectiveness of Georgia State’s Strategic Plan

Homeless Advocacy “Tipping Point” #1

August 2015—Reprimanded by GSU Officer at Classroom South

• Another homeless student and I approached in disrespectful manner by two officers on a Thursday morning because we were sleeping in Classroom South, 5th Floor

• I overslept and was behind schedule for studying and following up on e-mails

• Officers talked down to us—flippant, condescending• Eventually spoke to Fallon Proctor of the Office of the Dean of Students

Homeless Advocacy “Tipping Point” #2

November 2015—Conversations with Friends, Fallon Proctor, and Anitra Patrick about My Future and Professional Meetings to Explain My Situation

• GSU Alumni and former employees implored me to let my voice be heard

• November 13, 2015: Second Keynote Speaker at Boxing Hunger event via Naeshia McDowell and Office of Civic Engagement

• December 2, 2015: spoke at Embark Georgia Regional Meeting at Urban Life Building

• December 3, 2015: spoke at final Student Government Association meeting and witnessed introduction to “Resource Awareness for Students that are Displaced Resolution”

Homeless Advocacy “Tipping Point” #3

December 2015—Two videos about homeless college studentsDavid Pakman investigative report

Jonathan Nunn-Broadnax vlog

Homeless Advocacy “Tipping Point” #4

December 2015—Zack Hodges and James Jones living my NFL dreamZack Hodges interview James Jones

What is My History? How Did I Become Homeless?

My decisions and failures to achieve certain goals in my younger years led to four different episodes of homelessness—and two episodes of contemplating suicide.• Born in Brooklyn, NY and raised by mother from Liberia and father from Grenada• Moved to Clarkston, GA in 1991 and eventually graduated from Riverdale High in

2002• Expelled from Sewanee, the University of the South after Fall 2002 semester for

cheating on a Calculus exam and violating the school’s Honor Code• Transferred to Georgia Perimeter and then Georgia State University, but expelled

after Fall 2005 semester after failing to meet Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP)• Worked in family businesses while still seeking employment elsewhere, traveled

along East Coast, and reading and self-directed learning when possible• Suffered from clinical depression and Body Dysmorphic Disorder for most of my

adult life• Lived with a friend and his family during Spring 2015 and unlawfully lived in a

residence during beginning of Summer 2015 that was supposed to be vacant

What did my struggle with homelessness look like?

Being a homeless college student revealed my resolve and character, informing me of what constitutes adversity• Multiple prejudices from LEO’s, private security, faculty, and students

alike• As a black man, I’m seen as another statistic and wasted potential—

especially by black women• People look at me as an experiment or charity case instead of a fully

autonomous human being with talent and goals• I fear coming off as an opportunist to my friends, some family members,

and professional or networking acquaintances• Logistics, time management, and paying attention to the streets (word

of mouth) are paramount

How can Georgia State serve homeless and foster care students?

Including the voices and presence of these students can go a long way to ensuring the success of Georgia State’s Strategic Plan• According to National Assn. for the Education of Homeless Children and

Youth (NAECHY) via FAFSA, there are approximately 58, 000 homeless college students, likely to be an underestimate

• Housing Department, Counseling and Testing Center, and Enrollment Services Center can merge similar to UCLA’s Economic Crisis Response Team

• Student Government Association must continue with Syllabus Resolution• Connect with HUD, apartment complexes, hotels, real estate agents,

and construction companies citywide• Encourage students in community service learning classes and/or

programs to speak on how serving the homeless affects them (Seider, Rabinowitz, and Gilmore 2010; Buch and Harden 2011)

How can Georgia State serve homeless and foster care students? (continued)

Including the voices and presence of these students can go a long way to ensuring the success of Georgia State’s Strategic Plan• Secure space for second food pantry and clothing closet (via Dr. Dana

Hartley at Georgia Tech at Embark Georgia Regional Meeting)• Work with Admissions Department to include Resource Packet, from

United Way or Atlanta Center for Self-Sufficiency, and make it a part of acceptance packets for new students on all levels

• Get homeless, foster care, and low-income students to work on self-directed research programs by giving them Key/Building Access to campus buildings except Sports Arena

• Connect with HUD, apartment complexes, hotels, real estate agents, and construction companies citywide

• Encourage students in community service learning classes and/or programs to speak on how serving the homeless affects them (Seider, Rabinowitz, and Gilmore 2010; Buch and Harden 2011)

Group A• Speak to real estate agents• Grant writing via Foundation Center• Conversations with Atlanta Beltline for

potential spaces and projects

Group B• Meet for SGA Syllabus, Resource Packet

proposalGroup C• Inform more students about McKinney-

Vento legislation• Create new scholarships for homeless,

foster care, and non-traditional students• Reach out to credit unions, small banks,

and Georgia Finance Commission

• Group A: Housing Dept.• Group B: Office of

Admissions• Group C: Enrollment

Services Center

Questions and Comments