BCC and MCLA To Pilot College Program For Homeless Youths
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PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Berkshire Community College (BCC) and Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts (MCLA) are working together as part of a new statewide effort to help teens who are homeless – those classified as "unaccompanied homeless youth" – enroll in college and earn the degrees prove to help people move beyond levels of poverty.
The statewide initiative, piloted at various public community colleges and four year institutions across the Commonwealth, is called the "Moving to College" program.
The application deadline for the Moving to College Scholarship program is March 1, 2021. The application, as well as eligibility requirements, can be found at https://www.doe.mass.edu/sfs/
The Moving to College program will provide rooms in its residence halls, meal plans and case management to support those teens who are eligible. MCLA will play a pivotal role, one of four residential campuses in the Commonwealth selected by Massachusetts Higher Education Commissioner Carlos Santiago to pilot the program.
"BCC is proud to partner with MCLA and our local youth service organizations and partner agencies across the Berkshires to help youth facing homelessness enter into higher education with housing and the opportunities to build a different future," Ellen Kennedy, President of BCC said. "Individuals struggling with homelessness struggle to capitalize on higher education as a pathway to a different life – BCC is committed to supporting these college-bound students through this important pilot program that will help our most underserved thrive."
The Berkshire team will be composed of campus staff from MCLA and BCC working in partnership with school liaisons and counselors, and a local non-profit youth services provider. The goal is to provide the supports that these students need so that they can stay on track to earn their degrees.
"We see over and over that higher education is a viable path out of poverty," MCLA President James F. Birge said. "Many MCLA students come from low-income families or are first-generation college students. They go on to secure well-paying jobs, maintain successful, fulfilling lives, and contribute to their communities. I am thrilled MCLA will be part of this pilot program and will be able to offer this opportunity to students impacted by homelessness."
The Moving to College Scholarship is a pilot program designed to support Massachusetts unaccompanied homeless youth as they transition to, progress through, and complete a college education. Scholarships for up to 20 students across Massachusetts are funded through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development's (HUD) Moving to Work program, administered by the Department of Housing and Community Development, with additional support provided by the Department of Higher Education, the Unaccompanied Homeless Youth and Young Adult Commission and participating campuses.
The colleges' responsibilities include reserving up to five beds in dorm housing for students; covering the cost of meal plans for Pilot students; developing and maintaining an ongoing schedule of communication of this Pilot with Youth Service Providers (YSP) as full partners; working with YSPs to create a success plan for each student; designating a single point of contact for students on campus; developing a campus orientation plan for students; and connecting students to campus resources, both academic and residential life resources.
Participating Colleges in this pilot program include:
- Community Colleges include Berkshire Community College, Massachusetts Bay Community College, Mount Wachusett Community College, and North Shore Community College.
- State Universities include Fitchburg State University, Framingham State University, Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts, and Salem State University
Tags: BCC, homeless, MCLA,
