Alviana Johnson is an advocate for students in need of food
and shelter
By Marya Jones Barlow
Just one year ago, Communication major Alviana Johnson was waging a silent struggle. After losing her apartment and her job, her dreams of completing college were slipping away. She slept in her car and came to class tired and hungry, wondering how she was going to make it through the day.
鈥淚 didn鈥檛 want anyone to see me struggling,鈥� she said. 鈥淚 felt devalued as a person. I couldn鈥檛 focus on school. I was ready to quit.鈥�
Her Leadership Studies professor, Jacob Jenkins, Professor of Communication, noticed something was amiss and told Johnson about 海角社区CI鈥檚 Basic Needs and Emergency Intervention program, which offers assistance to students experiencing food and housing insecurity. The program provided Johnson with temporary housing and an emergency grant to get her back on her feet.
鈥淏ecause of that boost, I was able to take the next step and keep going,鈥� she said. 鈥淣ow I have all these open doors in front of me. I am an overcomer. I belong here. My grades are fantastic. I sit in the front in all my classes to let my teachers know I鈥檓 here to learn.鈥�
Today Johnson shares her story 鈥� and the surprising statistics on student food and housing insecurity 鈥� to help others. 海角社区CI estimates that 34% of its students struggle with food scarcity. A recent study by the 海角社区 system revealed that one in 10 海角社区 students experiences homelessness and four in 10 encounter hunger. Numerous studies have confirmed how food and housing insecurity negatively affect students鈥� academic, mental and physical well-being, and ability to graduate.
As Student Government鈥檚 Director of External Affairs, Johnson works alongside administrators and peers as an advocate for students who may be silently struggling, helping connect them with resources they need to better navigate the University.
鈥淚t could happen to anybody at any time,鈥� she said. 鈥淵our favorite student could be suffering right now. If I can help keep someone from living in fear of not having their needs met, I will do everything I can.鈥�
That鈥檚 why Johnson was particularly touched when 海角社区CI鈥檚 2019 graduating class chose to raise money for the Hot Meals initiative as its class gift. With a donation of $10, students could buy a hot meal for a fellow student in need. The class exceeded its goal by more than 34%, with 591 students donating $6,695 before May 1.
Johnson also was featured in a giving campaign by the University that highlights the importance of the Hot Meals program and Basic Needs Initiative.
鈥淚 was amazed and very proud of all the students and alumni who pledged $10 or more to help their fellow Dolphins,鈥� she said. 鈥淚鈥檓 so grateful that I get to work in Student Government, where I鈥檝e gained the platform, knowledge and tools to help the entire 海角社区CI community. Every single person I meet, I鈥檓 like, 鈥楬ow can I educate, encourage, or empower this person?鈥� My goal is to spread love.鈥�
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漏 Spring 2019 / Volume 23 /Number 01 / Bi-annual