The Chicago Coalition for the Homeless Feature
This feature was written for publication in Scholarship America's monthly magazine. It focuses on the Chicago Coalition for the Homeless' scholarship to help homeless students explore their potential by attending college.
As Dollars for Scholars volunteers, we know that college is paramount to developing a successful career. We also know that it isn’t easy for the average individual to find the money to pay for college, even with help from their families. Now imagine trying to find the money to pay for a college education when you don’t even have a place to call home. This is exactly the situation 16,000 homeless students within the Chicago Public School System face. Luckily, there is help available in the form of scholarships granted by the Chicago Coalition for the Homeless. Each year these scholarships are given out to a number of determined homeless youth who have managed to succeed in scholastic endeavors despite the hardships they face on a daily basis.
The Chicago Coalition for the Homeless was founded in 2004 by the CCH Law Project. The Project partnered with Patricia Rivera, the former director of the Chicago Public School’s Homeless Education Program. Through her hands-on work with disadvantaged students, she came to realize that these students are talented, driven individuals facing terrible circumstances and as a result, they need to be supported so that they can beat the odds and achieve their dreams.
The scholarship initiative started small: the chapter was only able to award one student a one-year scholarship. Since then, the program has grown considerably and boasts grants from the Student Alliance for Homeless Youth, the OSA Foundation, and contributions from a multitude of individual donors, particularly current or former educators. This year alone, thirteen scholarships totaling $25,000 will be given out to aid homeless students pursing their education. Since its inception, the Chicago Coalition for the Homeless has been able to provide 29 exceptional students with over $65,000 in renewable scholarships. Of those 29, 18 have either graduated or are currently pursuing their degrees.
These include students like Daihana Estrada who found herself homeless after her parents were deported to Mexico in 2009. She was forced to move from Utah to Chicago in order to stay with her brother. Despite not having any financial support and being without her parents, she managed to achieve a 3.9 GPA and maintain a presence in a variety of school activities. Daihana is currently a sophomore at the University of Illinois studying to become an immigration lawyer.
Another student, Miguel Noyola, was raised by his four older brothers and sisters after his mother died when he was only twelve. Miguel will be the first person in his family to have graduated from high school, much less attend college, a dream that will now be realized. “Going to college is very important for me, because all my mother ever wanted for me was for me to be happy and go to college,” Miguel said. He will be attending Truman City College with the goal of becoming and automotive technician.
Five students have already realized their dreams of receiving their college diploma thanks to the Chicago Coalition for the Homeless. Perhaps even more surprisingly, is that several of those students who have graduated, or will be graduating soon, have expressed an interest in furthering their education by attending graduate school. The Chicago Coalition for the Homeless is already helping one student pay for several science classes to supplement her BA from the University of Illinois – Champaign Urbana so that she can apply to nursing school.
The future of the scholarship program offered by the Chicago Coalition of the Homeless looks bright. Just this July, they were able to proudly offer a new program to their students. Through support by the OSA Foundation, students maintaining at least a 3.0 GPA who do not have a computer can apply for a laptop and OSA will cover the cost up to $1000. Future plans include continued growth in order to offer more students more aid, as well as to develop scholarships to help those students wishing to attend graduate school.
Education is essential to crafting a future, but thanks to the Chicago Coalition for the Homeless, it has also proven essential to crafting a life for students in the moment. When asked about why college is so important for homeless youth, Claire Lombardo responded, “It’s a confidence booster to have overcome what they have. The odds are not in favor of so many young people, and to actually go through this, complete a degree, and find something they want to pursue is empowering to these kids.” Good luck to the Chicago Coalition for the Homeless and to all the youth whose lives you have changed for the better.
