NC State launches groundbreaking first program in U.S. to bolster student housing security.
It’s hard enough to get into college, let alone figure out how to pay for tuition, books, supplies, food, transportation… and then there’s housing. What’s a student to do if on-campus options are too expensive or inaccessible? It’s a startling statistic, but homelessness affects 15% of NC State students—a rate which rose from 10% just five years ago and is consistent across the U.S. And, given safety, instability and insecurity concerns, not having a place to live can obviously deter many from going to college at all.
That’s where Housing Options for Students Today (HOST) comes in—a new university program that allows students to live with a “host” family so they can focus on their studies while seeking stable housing. The first program of its kind in the U.S., HOST matches students with local community members who are willing to provide a short-term home to students while they work with HOST’s staff to ensure they have a plan for long-term, safe and affordable housing.
In partnership with the BWEL Foundation, a Raleigh-based nonprofit dedicated to helping house single-parent families in postsecondary education, HOST is actively recruiting hosts and is almost at their goal, just in time to start housing students in August for the NC State 2022–23 school year. (If you’re interested in becoming a host yourself, there’s a meeting June 14 at 1801 Hillsborough St.) Better still, the program is already expanding and developing a partnership to serve students at Shaw University, which should be available to students soon.
“It’ll be somewhat like an Airbnb,” says Mary Haskett, chair of the HOST advisory board. “We’ll have a menu of options for students who need a spot.” Time spent in a home can vary from a few nights to a few months, giving students the time they need to come up with a game plan for long-term housing.
“Sometimes students are moving from a different area, and it is transitory housing insecurity they are experiencing,” adds Folasewa Olatunde, a member of the advisory board of HOST and a graduate student at NC State. “They’ll need a few nights or even a few weeks to save and afford housing.”
The program also boasts a diverse collection of hosts and employees, so students are adequately matched with hosts that will be the best fit for them culturally, physically and emotionally. Additionally, hosts must undergo screenings, background checks and training to ensure the space is safe, affirmative and stable for students.
Former Guilford College student Etienne Phillips was relying on student housing in the spring of 2020, but lost his permanent residence while attending school. Upon transferring to NC State over the summer, he struggled to find housing, especially after the pandemic pushed schools to close campus accommodations.
“I became some version of homeless until attending NC State,” says Phillips. “Over this time, I stayed with a sibling, friends, on couches and floors, and in guest beds. … The HOST program is really incredible. There aren’t a lot of resources for housing for students, and if something like HOST existed while I was struggling, I would not have been forced to take a year off from school.”
Phillips highlights the fact that suffering with housing insecurity can also create difficulties finding a job, permanent housing, etc. “It was very hard to advance myself educationally or get a job. I didn’t have a job, marketable skills of any kind, and it was the start of the pandemic, so many jobs were not available,” laments Phillips.
His situation gives perspective to the kind of life-altering aid HOST can provide. “I am going through things one step at a time, but I am confident I will figure it out,” he says. “Knowing I had that support would have been huge. I would have had help to get a job and a car and whatever else I needed, and the HOST program is helping students do that now.” bwelnc.org
“Got my toes in the water, butt in the sand, not a worry in the world, a good book in my hand…” Summer is here (aka beach trips galore!), so we tapped Raleigh’s So & So Books team for their (arguably ironic) beach recs. Happy reading!
The Lying Life of Adults
Elena Ferrante
“If ‘beach read’ implies some sort of inattention on the part of either the author or the reader, this is a terrible recommendation because Ferrante’s characters and the dynamics between them are iconic, kinetic and nuanced. Part family saga, part bildungsroman, Lying Life follows the teenage Giovanna as she bounces between family members, friends, mentors, potential lovers; between Naples and Milan; between childhood and adulthood; between innocence and experience. … On the other hand, if ‘beach read’ implies a pageturner chock-full of drama, sex and beautiful scenery, then Lying Life fits the bill to a T.”
—Chris Tonelli, co-owner, So & So Books
A Novel Obsession
Caitlin Barasch
“This is a beach read for writers in that it’s about a 20-something woman who’s desperate to find something interesting to write about and so decides to shake things up in her life by stalking her current boyfriend’s ex-girlfriend. When she strikes up a friendship with this ex under false pretenses, she spirals into a web of lies, secrets and obsession. I kept turning pages, myself obsessed, waiting to watch it all come crashing down around her—and I’m happy to report that the crashing was quite satisfying. I said this was a beach read for writers, but it’s really a read for anybody who’s interested in identity creation, flawed people doing creepy things and lonely women making choices.”
“Aesthetically, Summerwater is in many ways the opposite of a beach read: it’s set in a series of gloomy, drizzly, eternally drenched vacation cabins in Scotland. But this novel, which alternates points of view between vacating strangers—young and old couples, children, teenagers, mothers—is a finely drawn exploration of domestic, interior spaces, and vast indifference and wonder of the natural world. (Also, one of the most interesting descriptions of going for a long run that I’ve ever read!) You’ll keep turning the pages to figure out how these lives and points of views will intersect and how the ‘subtle menace’ all around them will manifest.”
Walk the line… to hope. As part of NC Theatre’s production of Ring of Fire—featuring music and stories of Johnny Cash (who had a history of struggling with addiction)—the theater company has announced a “arts-in-recovery” partnership with Healing Transitions, a local organization that “provides hope and freedom to the homeless, uninsured and underserved struggling with addiction.”
The key component of the partnership is season 2, episode 4 of NCT’s panel discussion series, All In: Community Conversations entitled “Ring of Fire, Recovery and Redemption.” Hosted by NC Theatre President and CEO Elizabeth Doran and led by local performing artist Yolanda Rabun, it features Ring of Fire Director Randy Redd alongside panelists including Healing Transitions Executive Director Chris Budnick and Development Director Windi White, as well as Jazmine Addams (board member of the Onslow County LGBTQ Community Center, Onslow County NAACP member and First Silver Chip Transgender from Healing Transitions), and others.
“Addiction crosses every line when it comes to status, talent, education, title, wealth, poverty, race and gender,” says White, a visual artist who uses arts workshops to aid the recovery process. “Healing Transitions is honored to partner with NC Theatre for their production of Ring of Fire. Together through art, experience, strength and hope, we look forward to providing a platform that shines light on recovery.”
The episode corresponds with NC Theatre’s Ring of Fire production—which runs through May 8—and conforms with NCT’s “All In” vision for diversity, equity and inclusion “with an aim to connect NCT with our broader community to ensure access by all to our theatrical and educational programs,” says Doran. In addition to the digital dialogue, the partnership includes a lobby display of art pieces created in the arts-in-recovery process at Healing Transitions, free tickets for Healing Transitions participants and staff, and the exchange of teaching artists who will work with constituents of both organizations.
“Our mutually beneficial community partnerships are critical to this vision,” adds Doran, “and we are deeply honored to join the ‘village’ of community supporters of this distinguished and successful health and human services nonprofit.”
We don’t know about you, but we’re exhibiting a whole lot of excitement for International Museum Day May 18. And what better way to prepare yourself for a museum-hop than to check your knowledge on Raleigh’s must-see museums. … You’re gonna have to really use-eum your brain for this one!
1. Raleigh has been dubbed the “Smithsonian of the South” thanks to its abundance of museums and historical attractions—NTM passion for art, history and science. Which of these Raleigh museums is the oldest, built in 1769?
a. North Carolina Museum of Art
b. Pope House Museum
c. NC Museum of History
d. Joel Lane Museum House
2. We hope you’re not scared of ghosts! One of the most haunted homes in North Carolina, the Mordecai House was featured on what popular paranormal TV show?
a. Ghost Hunters
b. Ghost Adventures
c. A Haunting
d. Haunted History
3. A dino-mite exhibit is coming to Raleigh’s NC Museum of Natural Sciences Museum in 2023 and the hype is real. What two dinos will Dueling Dinosaurs put a spotlight on?
a. Triceratops and velociraptor
b. Velociraptor and spinosaurus
c. T. rex and triceratops
d. T. rex and velociraptor
4. The only African American house museum in North Carolina, Pope House Museum explores the life of Dr. Manassa Thomas Pope, the only African American man to run for which office of a Southern capital during the Jim Crow Era?
a. City manager
b. City council member
c. Mayor
d. City planner
5. Children have been flocking to Marbles Children’s Museum to “use their marbles” and play to their heart’s content since 2007. How many marbles are wrapped around the museum’s night-lit three-story marble wall?
a. 500K
b. 1 million
c. 1.5 million
d. 2 million
6. Located on the second floor of one of the largest Harley-Davidson dealerships in the U.S., Raleigh is home to the ___ Harley-Davidson drag racing museum in the world.
a. Only
b. Second
c. Third
d. Fourth
7. Don’t go chasing… rivers? The NC Museum of History’s current exhibit River Bridge: Sunken Secrets examines the history of a trade port on what NC river?
a. Neuse River
b. French Broad River
c. Pasquotank River
d. Cape Fear River
8. CAM Raleigh was originally a warehouse built for Allen Forge & Welding Company before it was purchased and revitalized by the contemporary art museum in 1997. How much did CAM pay for the building?
Where to sip, sup, shop and more outside Raleigh this month
Accordion Club (Michael Brannon)
1. Accordion Club DURHAM Accordion Club’s quirkiness is what makes it so quintessentially Durham—and why this “top-notch dive bar” (oxymoron? Sure—but you’ll get it when you go…) is a fave among both Durham residents and visitors alike. Plus, the drinks are cheap, and when you get hungry there’s a retro hot dog heater (hot diggity dog!). Hang out on the patio or belly up to the moody bar for a little liquid therapy. And, giving us life, on Sundays, you can get a little “sunshine in your belly” through Hatch Breakfast Burritos. Yup! That’s a wrap! @accordionclub
La Muñeca Ice Cream
2. La Muñeca Ice Cream HILLSBOROUGH Did you hear the scoop? There’s a new ice cream shop in town that everyone’s screaming for. Local family-owned La Muñeca is bringing a taste of Mexico to NC via sweet treats and authentic Mexican snacks like paletas (think popsicles that can be dipped in chocolate and rolled in cereal or other toppings), elotes and esquites (Mexican street corn) and dorilocos (a popular snack made with Doritos, veggies, peanuts, lime juice, chili powder and more—don’t knock it till you’ve tried it!). So whether you’re looking for something sweet or savory, snack time is covered. la-muneca-ice-cream.business.site
Incendiary Brewing Company
3. Incendiary Brewing Company LEWISVILLE If you don’t mind a bit of a longer drive, Incendiary Brewing Company’s new Lewisville outpost is def worth a daytrip (or an overnight!). A split-parcel of the former Westbend Vineyard and Brewery site, the location consists of a 30-barrel brew house, an expanding barreling program and the 14.5-plus acres of former vineyard. And while right now they’re just focusing on beer, a wine program could spring up in the future (!). Rotating taps feature the brewery’s uber-popular IPAs and stouts, plus other hoppy selects—which you should sip on while you kick back and catch local musicians—and fuel the fun with on-site food trucks. Just brew it.incendiarybrewing.com
Kahlovera Mexican Bar & Grill
4. Kahlovera Mexican Bar & Grill CHAPEL HILL For a Mex-cellent meal, head to this festive taco haven that’s got us all in our fillings and’ll leave you in the best possible food coma. But try not to fill up on the chips and queso fundido (with grilled, marinated Mexican sausage). Key word: try—cuz you’re gonna wanna save room for the entrees (from street tacos to loaded burritos to sizzling fajitas and so many more mouthwatering options). And no matter what you order foodwise, wash everything down with one (or three) of Kahlovera’s signature colorful drinks (faves include the Mermaid Colada, Marganoa beer-rita and Frida’s “Cucurrucucu Paloma” Mexicana)—and a shot if you’re feeling frisky (!). kahloveratacos.com
Ideal’s Sandwich and Grocery
5. Ideal’s Sandwich and Grocery DURHAM “Fresh baked bread, some fillings and a few condiments are all it takes to transform a bad day into a great one…” For the ideal lunch, look no further than this Northeastern-style deli, born of two friends’ (who hail from the Northeast and met at the Culinary Institute of America in New York) love for the classic deli sandwich they grew up eating in their respective hometowns. Bread baked in-house is the star for each one of Ideal’s yummy sandos—which include Philly roast pork with broccoli rabe, sharp provolone and roasted garlic mayonnaise; fried eggplant and ricotta; and prosciutto and mozzarella. Lunch never looked (or tasted) so good…idealsdeli.com
