The homeless population has reached record highs throughout Kern County. Of those homeless, only those participating in censuses, shelters and receiving financial assistance are actually being documented.
It is untold what the true number of those without a home really would be. Eighty-seven percent of the homeless are adults, and 13 percent children.
There are many reasons that people can become homeless. I used to think it was always because of substance abuse. That is the leading cause, but poverty, foreclosure issues, and our economy in its downfall may all be contributors. Fifty-seven percent of those counted in Kern County as being homeless, or 568 people, have reported use of some sort of substance abuse.
People that are homeless are stereotyped, and are often misunderstood or judged, unfairly. A student who we will call by her initials to protect her privacy, JH, said, “Being homeless is not so fun. Everyone thinks that you have to be on drugs. I never did anything to anyone. I’m not doing drugs.”
JH could be your fellow classmate, and you would never know she was going through the struggles of being without a home. As students, it is our responsibility to give back to our community. The area of helping homeless people is often overlooked and only addressed at peak moments like holidays or days of really extreme weather.
“We take the small things in life for granted,” said student Debra Ramirez. “Not everyone is so fortunate to have somewhere warm or comfortable to sleep.”
The hardships of college life alone are enough to hit a student financially, let alone room and board. Although some students get financial aid, a lot of students do not. Our financial aid assistance would be one of the many resources a student could use in order to find a place to live. Kern County offers numerous charities, including the Kern County Homeless Collaborative, which targets homeless people in the city as well as the remaining county.
Donations and volunteers are needed in the collaborative and are always welcome. You can look online at the events calendar and see the different areas that volunteers are needed. For more information, you can email [email protected].
As for students attending Bakersfield College, there are numerous programs in effect to cater to the students who are going through financial hardships. We have the SGA food pantry, which passes out nonperishable food baskets to those in need. It is located right between the bookstore and cafeteria.
There are programs that work in conjunction with the Human Services Department, which will help you with book vouchers, financial assistance, free tutoring and mentoring.
Next to financial aid is the job placement area to help you apply for work and even assist you with building a resume. To the right of both the financial aid and job placement centers are the EOP&S offices. At EOP&S you can sign up through your case worker from Human Services department, which gives grants for book vouchers and assistance, GET bus passes, mentoring and tutoring.
Never get discouraged, even if you are homeless, because there are people willing to help you. As for the students hearing about this for the first time, get involved in your community. It is up to each individual to make the changes that are needed.