Click here to listen to the story:
A new bill advancing in the Illinois House would require higher-ed institutions like NIU to organize assistance for homeless college students and students in care and also collect data on how many attend the school. Just as the pandemic began, NIU consolidated support services under the new Center for Student Assistance.
“I can tell my story once, I don't have to tell them 1,000 times. I can tell it once, and then that staff will be able to help me navigate the university and community resources,” said Olson.
The center can link students with legal support, the Huskie Food Pantry and a bevy of other programs. Olson says right now they serve around 50 students a week with the food pantry and helped around half a dozen homeless students get a hotel and then campus housing. Many students facing housing insecurity spend time sleeping on friends’ couches or in their cars and may not even realize they’re considered homeless and have support available.