Allison Short, the new Miss West Chester University, wants to use her platform over the coming year to educate people on homelessness, writes Susan Snyder for The Philadelphia Inquirer.
The 23-year-old junior is herself homeless. When she shares that information with people, most react with surprise.
“There are a lot of homeless individuals on this campus, and people aren’t really aware of it and don’t always speak in nice terms about it,” said Short.
Short is one of 70 WCU students who are homeless or former foster-care youth. About 50 of them receive support from West Chester’s donor-funded Promise Program, which provides year-round housing, tutoring help, and gap funding, among other things.
Short credited the program with making it possible “for me to receive my education and reach my goals.”
During the year of her reign, Short will speak on campus and appear in parades and at community events, all the while using the platform to talk about the issue she is well familiar with.
“I want people to know that (homelessness) is still a problem even if you are not aware of it,” said Short.
Read more about Allison Short in The Philadelphia Inquirer here.
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