The BRIDGES – Title III Strengthening Institutions Program recently worked with Institutional Research, Marketing and Communications, and College leadership to administer the #RealCollege national survey to FSCJ students. The #RealCollege survey is the nation’s largest annual assessment of basic needs among college students. Developed by Temple University’s Hope Center for College, Community, and Justice, #RealCollege efforts raise awareness and increase knowledge of college students struggling with food and housing insecurity, both associated with poor academic outcomes. As a participating institution, FSCJ will receive a summary report of our students’ survey responses in spring 2020.

The BRIDGES grant program also allowed a team to attend the #RealCollege annual convening in Houston, TX. The event welcomed college students, practitioners, philanthropists, and policymakers to discuss strategies and take action to secure students’ basic needs through interactive workshops, networking activities, and multimedia learning opportunities. With an overarching grant program goal of  providing holistic supports and services for students, the BRIDGES program is leveraging grant funding to develop action-oriented programs that reduce basic needs insecurity.