Urban Affairs Coalition

• Adopted Points of Unity at a public community town hall meeting as a framework for our work (https://www.phlpridecollective.org/points-of-unity),
• Hosted an internal retreat to foster relationships and build capacity, and
• Set Philly Pride 2022 for the first weekend of June.

• Host a LGBTQ+ Pride March for Philly Pride 2022,
• Increase the capacity of the LGBTQ+ community to advocate for LGBTQ+ equity, with a focus on people with multiple marginalized identities, and
• Establish The Collective and Philadelphia LGBTQ+ communities as key partners in equity work across the region for racial, ethinic, immigrant, gender, age, class, and disability rights.

We are now almost 2 months into the COVID-19 shutdown and the impact on low-income first-generation (LIFG) college students has been devastating. 

Too many students do not have money to buy groceries to eat: 
“I had to stay on campus housing because otherwise I would be homeless. But that means that I have to [buy] my own food. Right now I only have a jug of milk and a bag of rice that I’m living off of.” 

Many LIFG students and their family members have been laid off and are struggling financially: 
“I had to move out of my dorm and I lost my job. My parents also lost their job, we have no income coming in...Finances were already challenging during the year for us but now I am scared to death that we are going to come out of this broke.” 

Too many don’t even have a computer to actually take online classes. 
“Just got an eviction notice. I have to look for a new place to live in so I cannot afford a laptop for my online classes at this time.”

Many low-income students must also balance their academic coursework with looking after their siblings and caring for sick family members. Yet despite all of these limitations, LIFG students are motivated to continue earning their college degree. 

The Collective Success Network is a nonprofit based in Philadelphia that supports low-income, first-generation (LIFG) college students to achieve their academic and career aspirations. We connect students with professional mentors from across the United States and collaborate with the wider business community to prepare students to enter professional career paths upon graduation. 

Since the onset of the crisis, the Collective Success Network has been tirelessly organizing relief efforts to support low-income, first generation college students.

1. We set up a Student Relief Fund to give grants up to $50 per student to pay for food, cleaning supplies, and transportation. So far, CSN has already awarded almost $10,000 in grants to about 200 students attending college in the Philadelphia area.

2.  We organized a laptop donation drive for students who do not have computers so they will be able to attend their online classes, download important resources, and stay in contact with their professors and critical academic support services. So far, CSN has provided almost a dozen students with laptops. 

3. We mobilized community support for temporary housing, moving, and storage for displaced students.  We have helped students return to their families across the United States and, in a several cases, Africa and India. 

4. We prepared a Student Guide to Support, Assistance, & Other Resources during the COVID-19 Crisis. The guide shares recommendations for minimizing cash outflows, options for temporary housing, general food resources, financial aid and student loan relief, job resources, and information to maintain emotional wellbeing. This resource guide is continuously updated as changes are being made and new opportunities become available. 

Unfortunately, our funds are running low and the impact of the COVID-19 crisis on college students is worsening. 

CSN now needs your support to continue two critical student relief programs: 
- an emergency assistance grant program providing students with up to $50 to buy groceries, cleaning supplies, and other necessities  
- a laptop drive to enable students without computers to take online classes  

CSN has done our best to fill a huge void but unfortunately, because so many college students and their family members have been laid off, we need to secure more funding to meet the demand.

The money we raise not only helps low-income students and their families buy food and other critical care items, but, as one student in our network has shared with us, it is helping them stay positive during a time of great stress and uncertainty: 

"The $50 grant has alleviated some food insecurity by helping my family buy a substantial amount of food. This has helped my family remain positive. To whoever is reading this, I not only ask that you remain safe and healthy, but if you can, please consider contributing to this fund so other first-generation low-income students can remain secure throughout this crisis and make a great impact in the future."

Support CSN to help more low income first generation college students during these unprecedented times. While the need is great, the impact of the community coming together to support, empower, and help students overcome these difficulties can be even greater. 

You can also help by spreading the word to your friends, families and colleagues.  

Learn how COVID-19 has affected college students in the Philadelphia area by watching video testimonials from students we have helped: Sinh Taylor above and Chris Stone below. 

Learn more about CSN at https://www.collectivesuccess.org/