DETROIT, MI, May 3, 2019 – On Thursday, May 2nd and Friday, May 3rd, Wayne State University held their commencement ceremonies at the Fox Theatre. The graduates deserved every moment of celebration for earning their degrees. Long, sleepless nights of studying have finally paid off. Your undergraduate journey has finally come to a close. We hope that you’ve taken something away from your experience as a Warrior in and out of the classroom. This year’s commencement ceremonies honored over 4,000 students receiving their diplomas! We are extremely proud of each and every student and congratulate you as you join over 260,000 other members of the Alumni Association. The HIGH Program would like to send a special congratulations to all of the 2019 graduates of Wayne State University! Continue to Go HIGHer as you enter the real world and take the next step toward your future! Thank you for being Warrior Strong.

March is Women's History Month, which means it's a perfect time to discuss an issue faced by homeless women that often goes without consideration and many shy away from talking about due to stigma — menstruation and access to menstrual products while homeless. The 2018 Annual Homeless Assessment Report  published by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development reported that on a single night in January, 39% of the homeless population consisted of women. Fewer than 1% identified as transgender or gender-nonconforming, and a percentage of those individuals likely deal with menstruation as well. Though we think of menstruation of a strictly female issue, not all women menstruate and not everyone who menstruates identifies as a woman. All of the individuals reported this night ranged in age from under 18 to over 24; on average, a person who menstruates will do so from the ages of 12 to 51, making it safe to assume that a significant number of those reported homeless de...

March 13th (or 3/13) is 313 Day, a day in honor of the City of Detroit. As part of Wayne State, the HIGH Program is among the proud residents of Midtown in the heart of the city. Our team comes from all walks of life, from Detroit natives to out-of-state transplants and everything in between. To celebrate our pride in living and working in Detroit, we asked some of the HIGH team to tell us their favorite places right here in Midtown! Here's what they said: Pearlanne, Executive Assistant — Mario's Restaurant "[An] elegant supper club offering old-school service, relish tray starters and dancing. It’s been a go to place for my family for many years. We celebrate anniversaries, birthdays and we love their Easter Brunch." 4222 2nd Ave., Detroit, MI | $$$ |  Website Ryan, Videographer — Bronx Bar "Good little dive with a pool table, good food and an outdoor patio. Pretty fun on weekends but also a nice chill place to go mid-day or after work." 4476 ...

Sometimes, we struggle to find ways to give back to our community — for example, we might not have extra money to contribute or time to volunteer. But what if you could give back by doing your shopping as usual, with no extra cost to you? Chances are, you've ordered from Amazon at some point in your life. With items ranging from books to groceries to clothing and everything in between, there's a reason that they're one of the biggest companies in the world. And if you're from here in Michigan, you've probably shopped at Kroger, too (that is, if you don't buy  all  your groceries there). The HIGH Program has partnered with two different company programs that help shoppers give back to their community just by shopping like normal — Amazon Smile and Kroger Community Rewards. Both programs only require a quick one-and-done setup, meaning that once you've registered to have part of your purchases benefit the HIGH Program, you won't need to remember to do...

In the past week, the story broke about an Arkansas legislator who proposed cutting lunch funding for school districts that struggle with improving their reading skills. This would cut national funding for districts that are unable to show improvement after "a period of time," serving as an incentive and a push towards improving. However, many parents and caregivers are outraged, and understandably so. Many students rely on their school lunches — according to No Kid Hungry , over 13 million youth come from food insecure households, meaning that they may not have regular access to food at home. Over the years, schools, organizations such as No Kid Hungry and Feeding America, and federal programs have worked together to fill in the gaps that students face outside of regular school hours. Services such as school breakfasts, after-school meals, and summer meals help assure that these food-insecure students are able to receive the food that they need. Aside from food being...

Here at the HIGH Program, our office family is made up of a wonderful team of staff, interns, and volunteers. Each individual is a vital part of our operation, and we want to showcase those who have dedicated their time and efforts with the program! Today's feature is someone whose time at the program is coming to a close, but has made a lasting impact. Alecia Burke joined the HIGH Program in September 2018 as our YouTube Specialist, creating videos on homelessness and other relevant topics for our digital signage around Wayne State's campus. She shortly transitioned to our Communications Specialist, using her phenomenal research and writing skills to create scripts and help develop the Go HIGHer podcast, a podcast focused on tackling issues commonly faced by college students. On top of this, Alecia co-lead the #SarnaikChallenge , creating a campaign to help the HIGH Program raise $25,000 in donations.  Here's what Alecia had to say about her time here at the pro...

If you keep up with us on social media, chances are that you've seen at least one of our countdown posts this past week, leading up to today. Now, we here at the HIGH Program are so excited to announce the #SarnaikChallenge ! In 2017, Drs. Ashok P. and Sharada Sarnaik — both of whom are professors at Wayne State's School of Medicine and pediatricians at Children's Hospital — created the Sarnaik Endowment benefiting the HIGH Program to “support these individuals during the times of their greatest needs, helping them reach greater heights.” The husband and wife duo pledged to match each donation to the endowment dollar for dollar, up to $100,000. Now it's up to us! The #SarnaikChallenge seeks to raise $25,000 to match the most recent generous donation by the Sarnaiks. So, why donate to the Sarnaik Challenge? Since 2013, the HIGH Program has helped over 150 Wayne State University students who are homeless, precariously housed, or facing other significant finan...

Winter in Michigan is certainly no laughing matter — between the tendency for unpredictable weather and the proximity to the Great Lakes, winters are frigid and brutal more often than not. That uncertainty, however, also means that some years are warmer than others (this year included). While this winter might seem unseasonably warm for most, it's another story for homeless or precariously housed individuals. According to the National Weather Service , even 40°F temperatures can feel below freezing with winds as low as 20 MPH. When you also take into account that temperatures drop significantly at night, that winds are intensified by tall buildings in urban areas (where many homeless individuals stay), and that these individuals often don't have access to weather-appropriate clothing, it's no surprise that the homeless population is one of the most at-risk when it comes to exposure-related conditions such as hypothermia and frostbite. For Wayne State student...

As the days begin to get colder, it's a reminder that winter is right around the corner, and Michigan winters in particular are known for their harsh temperatures. Even before winter hits, temperatures can drop much lower at night and put homeless individuals at risk. According to the National Weather Service , even 40°F temperatures can feel below freezing with winds as low as 20 MPH. Taking into account the fact that a good deal of homeless individuals are situated within urban areas that have increased wind speeds between the buildings, it's easy for winds to create bitter temperatures when the actual air temperature is what most would only consider to be a bit chilly. Spending long periods of time in these temperatures — such as by sleeping on the streets — also increases the risk of hypothermia. The Mayo Clinic defines hypothermia as "a medical emergency that occurs when your body loses heat faster than it can produce heat, causing a dangerously low body tempera...

The beginning of October means midterm season is here, and the stress is enough to send even the best students scrambling. As mentioned in our last blog post , college can be a stressful time for students from all different walks of life; 45% of students list stress as a factor in seeking out counseling. But what about students who don't feel the need to seek out formal counseling, or those who are unable to access those services for any number of reasons? Whether you seek mental health assistance or not, taking care of yourself and managing stress is incredibly important. Although it may not seem like a big deal to push through stress and handle it on your own, stressors can compound over time and cause chronic stress  which according to the American Psychological Association , "may also cause disease, either because of changes in your body or the overeating, smoking and other bad habits people use to cope with stress." It's not just in the long run, either: mu...

Whether you're a freshman struggling to get used to campus life, a senior stressing about what lies beyond graduation, or anywhere in between, college can (without a doubt) be one of the most stressful times for students. A recent study by the American Psychological Association found that 61% of students across the nation seeking counseling report anxiety, with depression (49%) and stress (45%) following closely behind. Although these issues can affect anyone regardless of race, class, gender, or sexuality, it often times weighs very heavily on students who are homeless or precariously housed. The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) found that anywhere from 20% to 25% of the homeless population in the US live with some form of severe mental illness (compared to just 6% of the overall American population). Harvard notes that " mental illness is often cited as a major cause of homelessness , illustrating a causative relationship that extends beyond mere correlatio...

There's an undeniable relation between homelessness and food insecurity, and students are no exception to this struggle. "College is stressful enough," writes a HIGH scholarship recipient Colleen Messimer "without having to worry about money for food,housing, and transportation." According to Feeding America's 2014 study, 31% of the households they serve have to choose between paying for food or their education . At the HIGH Program, we provide funding to homeless or precariously-housed Wayne State students so that they're no longer forced to choose between the two, but it also goes beyond that -- part of the assistance that we provide is access to food through campus meal plans.  As Hunger Action Month comes to a close, both Wayne State students and local community members might wonder how they might be able to help, but not know where to begin. Luckily, there are quite a few ways that anyone can help support the HIGH Program as well as help to fig...

Even though we're constantly progressing as a society, there's still a lingering stigma against the homeless, and the challenges that arise as a result often makes it difficult for those individuals to put themselves in better situations. Over the weekend, a story broke about Washington D.C. student Jamal Speaks, who was barred from playing on his high school football team because he was homeless. According to NBC Washington , officials said that Speaks became ineligible to play -- or even practice with his team in the meantime -- because they couldn't verify a permanent address to confirm residency. For many low-income and homeless youths, a scholarship of some sort is their only shot at receiving a college education; among those are sports scholarships, which often provide a full ride for promising young athletes. Adding insult to injury, recruiters from Temple University had come to watch Speaks play when he was pulled from the game to be sidelined because of his resid...

In the next couple of weeks, flu season will be upon us once again. After a particularly nasty flu season in 2017, the Center for Disease Control (CDC) recommends that individuals get vaccinated at least two weeks before the flu season begins. But often times when individuals or families are struggling with low income, precarious housing, or homelessness, they're forced to have healthcare take the backseat until their situation becomes more stable. Lack of health insurance or difficulty accessing healthcare are widespread issues and can result in poor attendance at school or work, as well as more serious health complications. However, there are a few ways that those struggling to attain healthcare can still get their flu shot and ward off problems before they begin. For Wayne State students, the Campus Health Center  offers no-cost flu vaccinations. Students are never charged, regardless of health insurance coverage. For non-students with health insurance, finding a free ...

Close your eyes for a moment, and try to picture someone who is homeless. What comes to mind? Many people have a specific image of what homelessness --which is defined by the federal government as "an individual without permanent housing who may live on the streets...or any other unstable or non-permanent situation"  --  might look like as a result of stereotypical representation in the media. The truth is, those struggling with homelessness or precarious housing situations come from all walks of life, and not among the least of those numbers are students. A study from The University of the Pacific found that students who are homeless or have an uncertain living situations tend to have lower grade point averages, have problems with truancy, and are less likely to graduate on time. In Michigan, programs such as the ones in Holland Public Schools have been forming across the state to aid in helping homeless K-12 students with the resources that they need to be s...

A s the school year starts to pick up and we start to fill our fridges with foods for school lunches, let's talk about an often overlooked struggle -- food insecurity. According to Feeding America, 1 in 7 people in Michigan struggles with food insecurity. When it comes to students, many are forced to choose between food and paying their tuition. At the HIGH Program, financial assistance is one of the many forms of help that we provide to recipients so that no student is faced with the decision to finance basic necessities (such as food) or pay for school. How can you help? The HIGH Program provides this assistance with the help of generous donations, which comes from all sorts of sources. With the Kroger Community Awards program, donations are as easy as doing your usual shopping (with no extra cost to you)! To enroll, simply visit the Kroger Community Rewards page, sign in with your Kroger Plus account (or sign up for free), and search for "HIGH Program" or ...

4 Places that Give Help at Wayne State University When you are in school, making ends meet can be extremely difficulty. And if you are making ends meet, having any money left over for anything else is practically unheard of. We are not stranger to the jokes about college students being broke, but it is a serious problem that is on the rise. WSU recognizes this problem, and has several different organizations and programs to help students. Finding help can often me embarrassing, or difficult, especially if you do not know where to start. Here are a few of the different options for help that WSU offers students who are struggling financially.  1. The HIGH Program The Helping Individuals Go Higher (HIGH) Program is a program run by the university's first lady, Mrs. Jacqueline Wilson. This program is designed to help financially burdened students. The program will assist students with all different kinds of financial problems such as tuition, rent, books, transportation,...

Susan G. Komen Detroit Race for the Cure: Register for May 21st Event Lace up those running shoes! May 21st is the 25th Annual Komen Detroit Race at Chene Park along Detroit's riverfront, raising awareness and funding for breast cancer programs and research for a cure! Visit  https://www.karmanoscancer.org/KomenDetroit/race.aspx to register your team!

The 2016 Baroudeur Cycling Event!         Mark your calendar!  Join us Saturday, Aug. 20, 2016 for a noncompetitive, fun-filled bike ride around the Detroit Motor City and surrounding area.  The "Baroudeur" bike ride raises funds to benefit Wayne State University students with tuition scholarships. Visit  https://baroudeur.wayne.edu/  to learn more and sign up!