By Kiara Doyal, The Seattle Medium
As many students struggle to balance their educational pursuits with the instability of homelessness, Shoreline Community College (Shoreline) is taking a proactive approach to address these challenges head-on by launching the Center for Education and Career Opportunities (CECO), a groundbreaking pilot program to assist students experiencing homelessness and/or mental health challenges.
In partnership with King County Housing programs and Best Starts for Kids, a voter-approved King County initiative, the program will help youth aged 16-21 who have dropped out of high school. It aims to assist them in obtaining their secondary credentials and transitioning into post-secondary education by providing stable on-campus housing integrated with academic and employment support services.
According to Guru Dorje, director of CECO at Shoreline, students experiencing homelessness or severe mental health challenges often face challenges in pursuit of their education because the constant stress of finding shelter makes it difficult for students to focus on studies and maintain enrollment.
“We have discovered a significant number of students facing housing instability,” says Dorje. “Our goal is to ensure these students not only achieve their educational credentials but also secure permanent housing, breaking the cycle of homelessness.”
The program was originally scheduled to launch in the summer of 2024 but began early due to the urgent needs of students. The initiative provides on-campus housing for up to eight quarters, along with comprehensive educational and employment support. Currently, three students are enrolled, with plans to expand to 12 students by spring 2025.
“This program is rooted in the belief that stable housing, coupled with a dedicated case manager who supports both educational and employment goals, is crucial for student success,” Dorje said. “Other programs typically separate housing and educational support, but our approach integrates them, providing a holistic support system.”
The early results have been promising. All three students enrolled in the pilot program are on track to earn their high school equivalency diplomas and transition seamlessly into post-secondary education. The program is funded for two years by King County, but the CECO team is actively seeking long-term funding to expand its reach and continue supporting more students.
This initiative is the first of its kind to combine housing with educational and employment support through a single point of contact at a community college. The insights gained from this pilot are expected to inform future strategies for addressing homelessness among students, with the hope of expanding similar programs to other community and technical colleges.
“Our ultimate aim is to see these students complete their education, transfer if appropriate, secure stable employment, and maintain permanent housing,” said Dr. Jack Kahn, president of Shoreline Community College. “Our hope is to see positive outcomes with our initial students and expand this program, working with others to do the same.”
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