Long Beach City College recently hosted their 7th Annual “Helping Homeless Students Fundraiser,” an event that raises money for students who face financial hardships and housing difficulties.
The event was organized by LBCC’s Helping Homeless Students Associate Group, an organization dedicated to helping students obtain their education while providing them with basic needs.
The fundraiser, which took place on Sunday, included a silent auction, opportunity drawings, and first-hand accounts from recipients of the school and organization.
Iona Lincoln was one of the students to give a testimonial at the event. Lincoln, who is also a mother of a two year old son, lost her home to a fire and is a survivor of abuse.
“As a victim of domestic violence, having to co-parent is mentally so draining, but the little stuff that they do help with like gas, toothbrushes, toothpaste, and being able to lay my head at certain places as someone who used to couch surf, has been helpful as far as taking that area of stress off of me” said Lincoln.
Unfortunately, many students at the college face similar difficulties that prevent them from being successful in their academic pursuits.
While the organization does provide housing options and basic necessities, there are still some changes that coordinators and recipients wish to enact, as students like Lincoln are still experiencing homelessness.
One of the coordinators who envisions improvement for the organization is LBCC alumni, Brian Russell, president of the “Helping Homeless Students Associate Group”.
“It’s my honor to give back and help students reach their dream” said Russell.
He went on to say, “I want to create a housing project for homeless students that have full wrap services, not only housing is taken care of but if they have mental health issues, if they need glasses, hearing aids, have learning disabilities, we want to help them. That is my vision.”
The organization has been able to help 1,040 students and counting and is recognized as one of the most valued organizations at Long Beach City College.
If you are interested in finding out more direct means of how to help homeless students, contact Jeffrey Sabol (jsabol@lbcc.edu) or Virginia Baxter (gbaxter@lbcc.edu). To donate to the organization directly, click here: https://www.lbcc.edu/hhs-fund.