At 18, Fox arrived in Boston after fleeing an abusive home in Florida. He got a job as a bank teller, rented a room in a single-family residence in Revere, and enrolled at Bunker Hill Community College. But his wages weren’t enough to cover his rising rent. Suddenly homeless but not wanting to drop out of college, Fox spent evenings at Logan Airport, sleeping in a hidden spot under an escalator.
Fox's experience is not unique. At least 32,000 college students were homeless in 2017. These numbers are underreported and don’t reflect shadowed homelessness--students too scared or ashamed to admit they’ve been sleeping in cars or abandoned buildings, and skipping meals to pay for other necessities, like soap.
This year, Circle of Hope launched “Get Set,” a program dedicated to helping homeless college students stay healthy so they can pursue an education. We bring clothing, coats, and toiletries to students experiencing homelessness at Framingham State University (FSU), the University of Massachusetts Boston, and MassBay Community College. Through "Get Set," Circle of Hope ensures that these students no longer have to choose between food and other everyday essentials like soap or toothpaste.
One FSU student said Circle of Hope helped her "flourish and thrive." She felt like she “belonged with the other students." Because of Circle of Hope, she could participate in school activities with confidence, now that she had two pairs of jeans, tops, new underwear and socks, and sneakers.
Now 23, Fox is in his final year at Brandeis University, where he is double majoring in biological physics and chemistry. Fox and students like him turned to higher education to escape poverty. Your support allows us to help these vulnerable students pursue their dreams.
Thanks to you, Circle of Hope can bring health, dignity, and hope to children, adults, and now college students who are homeless. Please donate to our Annual Campaign by December 31, 2019 to give homeless college students a better chance to reach their true potential.
