Charleston YOUth Count
The Charleston YOUth Count is an initiative of the Riley Center and key community partners to count and understand the needs and assets of people under age 25 who are housing and/or food insecure. By documenting the size of this vulnerable population and scoping the nature of the services they need, it is anticipated that local, state, and national service providers will be better informed to act on their behalf.
As a first step in the process, the Riley Center completed a survey of College of Charleston students to students to understand their nutrition and housing needs. More than 2,000 students responded to the 70-question online-survey. Student responses were encouraged during high-visibility CougarPalooza and Cougar Countdown events.
Findings suggest that 30% of students are food insecure with half of that segment being very food insecure. These students, estimated at more than 1,500, are neither eating enough to be healthy nor getting enough nutrition to maximize their academic performance.
30% of the student population report being housing insecure. For most of these, the housing insecurity stems from missing a rent payment or fear they will miss a payment as a result of increased housing costs. Though small numbers, CofC students report sleeping in their cares, public places, couch surfing, and taking other measures to find safe places to sleep. It is estimated that 70-90 students are truly homeless, actively trying but being unable to gain entry to a shelter. Like with food insecurity, housing insecurity results in the inability of students to maximize their academic potential, with symptoms like missing class, failing to buy required texts, and not participating in key student academic and co-curricular activities.
A task force was formed by the Executive Vice President of Student Affairs to help address the concerns uncovered and documented in this report. The Riley Center plans to continue to use data to drive action from students, faculty, staff, and administrators to ensure all students have access to the food and housing they need.
SUMMARY: riley.cofc.edu/About%20the%20Riley%20Center/student_food.house_summary.pdf
The Charleston YOUth Count is an initiative of the Riley Center and key community partners to count and understand the needs and assets of people under age 25 who are housing and/or food insecure. By documenting the size of this vulnerable population and scoping the nature of the services they need, it is anticipated that local, state, and national service providers will be better informed to act on their behalf.
As a first step in the process, the Riley Center completed a survey of College of Charleston students to students to understand their nutrition and housing needs. More than 2,000 students responded to the 70-question online-survey. Student responses were encouraged during high-visibility CougarPalooza and Cougar Countdown events.
Findings suggest that 30% of students are food insecure with half of that segment being very food insecure. These students, estimated at more than 1,500, are neither eating enough to be healthy nor getting enough nutrition to maximize their academic performance.
30% of the student population report being housing insecure. For most of these, the housing insecurity stems from missing a rent payment or fear they will miss a payment as a result of increased housing costs. Though small numbers, CofC students report sleeping in their cares, public places, couch surfing, and taking other measures to find safe places to sleep. It is estimated that 70-90 students are truly homeless, actively trying but being unable to gain entry to a shelter. Like with food insecurity, housing insecurity results in the inability of students to maximize their academic potential, with symptoms like missing class, failing to buy required texts, and not participating in key student academic and co-curricular activities.
A task force was formed by the Executive Vice President of Student Affairs to help address the concerns uncovered and documented in this report. The Riley Center plans to continue to use data to drive action from students, faculty, staff, and administrators to ensure all students have access to the food and housing they need.
SUMMARY: riley.cofc.edu/About%20the%20Riley%20Center/student_food.house_summary.pdf