With Hunger & Homelessness Awareness Week coming up November 14-21, here is some information about Sac State students and basic needs.
What is the definition of homelessness?
Lacking a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence.
- Couch Surfing
- Living in a car
- Uninhabitable spaces (storage units, gyms, AIRC)
- Outdoors (e.g. parks, river, parking lots, etc.)
- Shelters
What percentage of students in the CSU and at Sac State experience homelessness?
According to a 2018 study by the Chancellor’s Office and Sac State research by Dr. Lynn Hanna:
- 10% of CSU students experience homelessness at one point in the year
- 12% of Sacramento State Students experience homelessness at one point in the year
What is food insecurity?
Lacking consistent access to enough food for every person in a household to live an active, healthy life.
What percentage of college students in the CSU and at CSUS experience food insecurity?
According to the Chancellor’s Office study and Sac State's Spring 2021 National College Health Assessment survey:
- 42% of CSU students experience food insecurity
- 46% of Sac State students experience food insecurity
Student Experiences
According to the Chancellor’s Office study:
- Students reported higher rates of “inactive days,” where poor physical or mental health kept them from their usual activities such as school, work, self-care, and recreational activities.
- Students reported academic struggle, long work hours, and negative impact on mental and physical health.
What resources exist at Sacramento State to support students?
- ASI Food Pantry: Students can visit the Pantry once per week. To be eligible to utilize the ASI Food Pantry, students must 1) be enrolled at Sac State, 2) bring their One Card or know student ID number, and 3) fill out the New User Registration Form (once a semester).
- Crisis Assistance and Resource Education Support (CARES Office): The Sacramento State CARES office provides support to students who are in crisis or experiencing unique challenges to their education. The CARES case managers coordinate referrals to campus and community resources and offer 30-day emergency housing, low-income housing for homeless students, emergency funds (up to $2500 1x/year), emergency meal vouchers and case management advocacy support.
- CalFresh Food Assistance: CalFresh is a nutrition assistance program that helps low-income individuals and families buy the food they need. CalFresh dollars help stretch a tight food budget and help people afford to incorporate healthy foods like fruits and vegetables into their diets. Eligible students could receive up to $250 each month for groceries. The CARES office can help students apply.
- Basic Needs Resource Page: A one-stop page that lists resources to address food, housing, financial, nutrition, employment and more!
Concerned for a student? Notify the CARES office.
Faculty and staff can submit a report if they are concerned about a student. Reports can be made for students who disclose homelessness, financial challenges, family dynamics that impact school, medical issues, hospitalizations, or other disruptive or concerning issues. Report a student of concern here.
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Announcements
Peer Counseling
Peer Counseling is available for 30-minute appointments. Peer Counseling is a non-judgmental space providing peer support for students to speak confidentially about what's on their mind. Peer Counselors are helpful listeners and trained to support peers with their mental health concerns. Visit the Peer Counseling link to meet the Peer Counselors or make an appointment.
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Strategies*
- Add a statement about basic needs to your syllabus; for example: “If you are experiencing challenges with food, housing, financial or other unique circumstances that are impacting your education, help is just a phone call or email away. The CARES office provides case management support for any enrolled student. Email the CARES office at cares@csus.edu to speak with a case manager about the resources available to you. Check out the CARES website and the CSUS Basic Needs Resource Page.”
- Offer students extra credit for watching the film, “Hungry to Learn”. A discussion guide for the film is also available.
- Share information about Hunger & Homelessness Awareness Week events with your students. See the graphic below for the full lineup.
The full Wellness in the Classroom toolkit may be found here.
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Self-Care
Positive psychology research shows that practicing gratitude can make us happier, increase psychological wellbeing, improve self-esteem, and reduce suicidal thoughts. Gratitude also has a positive impact on our relationships and may even benefit physical health. Try keeping a daily gratitude journal, either on paper or using a gratitude app.
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Events
Nov. 16 – Cooking Demo, 9-10am, Zoom [Register]
Nov. 16 – Free Flu Shots (for students, staff & faculty), 10am-2pm, The WELL
Nov. 16 – Ruff, Puff, & Roll: Pet Show & Tell & Trivia, 6:30-7:30 [Register]
Nov. 17 – Working Out Your Stress: Study Space Boundaries, 12-1pm [Register]
Nov. 17 – Mingling Over Mocktails with the PRIDE Center, 7-8pm, The Cove in The WELL
Nov. 18 – Cooking Demo: Rainbow Pasta Salad, 12-1pm, Zoom [Register]
Nov. 23 – Free Flu Shots (for students, staff & faculty), 10am-2pm, The WELL
Nov. 30 – Free Flu Shots (for students, staff & faculty), 10am-2pm, The WELL
Nov. 30 – Healthy Mind Talk: Battling Burnout, 5-6pm [Register]
Dec. 2 – Cooking Demo, 12:30-1:30pm, The Cove in The WELL [Register]
Dec. 6 – Free Grocery Pop-Up Pantry, 10:30am-1:30pm, Library Quad
Dec. 7 – Cooking Demo, 3-4pm, Zoom [Register]
Dec. 7 – Hornet Nights Virtual Trivia: Tis the Season, 7-7:45pm, [Register]
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"It is widely accepted that health and well-being are essential elements for effective learning."
El Ansari & Stock, 2010
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The "Wellness in the Classroom: Faculty Influence on Student Wellbeing and Success" project seeks to provide faculty with the tools and resources to create conditions for student wellbeing and optimal learning in the classroom.
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