M Becomes a Scholar

In 2019, a survey conducted by the Hope Center for College, Community, and Justice found that 14% of City University of New York (CUNY) students experience homelessness. That is, approximately 34,000 CUNY students are actively working toward earning their degrees without access to stable housing.

M is one of those students. But in October 2022 he was one of the first Medgar Evers College students to move into NCS Scholars.

We launched NCS Scholars to provide year-round housing and supportive services to unhoused college students, addressing not only homelessness but also the challenges that typically cause or accompany it.

M is a computer science student and hopes to one day work for a large tech company. “Before I moved to NCS Scholars, I never had a stable home,” M shared. “Now, I can focus on my schoolwork.”

This first-of-its-kind program in New York City provides students with private bedrooms in shared suites; on-site staff, including a social worker; support to connect residents with necessary social services and benefits, resources for mental and physical health, academic and employment support, and financial assistance; and mentoring and networking opportunities

“Any services I’ve needed, NCS has been able to connect me with, like helping me do my taxes and find job opportunities,” M said.

A few months after moving into NCS Scholars, M, and other NCS clients visited Brown Harris Stevens’ Midtown office. The residents asked questions and heard inspiring stories from staff members who also overcame hardships on their path to success. Before they left they exchanged contact information to continue networking. M got some great advice and heard about some exciting opportunities in the Computer Science world!

We are so excited to have opened NCS Scholars and to have such great supporters who help students like M thrive.