Photo courtesy of Ke’Sha Lopez
It is easy to forget that a world exists outside of Baylor University. Generally, students spend the majority of their time within the boundaries of Baylor. We go to class, study, and usually live quite close to campus. While Baylor offers a beautiful environment for living and learning, it cultivates something commonly called the “Baylor bubble.” Christian Balaños defines the “Baylor bubble” as a thin sphere which separates Baylor and the residences surrounding the university from the rest of Waco.
Of course, Baylor students do venture out into the greater Waco area, and at these times we become acutely aware of Waco’s homeless population. The strip of restaurants across I-35, affectionately dubbed the “grease pit,” often sees tired looking men and women of all ages asking for money or pushing around all of their belongings in a dingy shopping cart. Other parts of town show signs of Wacoans seeking shelter: if you look closely when you walk through downtown, you will find many alcoves housing dirty, old pillows and beat up shoes. Presumably, people live here. The intersection at New Road and I-35 is another place we often see homelessness in the form of people suffering the heat with their signs. This can be the only interaction a Baylor student has with the homeless population of Waco.
Many current Baylor students do not know that ten years ago, Waco had approximately 600 homeless people. According to city officials, the homeless problem was perpetuated by “chronic homeless”: individuals with a disabling condition who have been continually homeless for more than a year or individuals with a disabling condition who have experienced at least four “episodes of homelessness” in the last four years. In 2006, many of the people suffering from chronic homelessness were veterans suffering from PTSD, substance addiction, or another type of chronic illness or disability.
Due to a ten-year plan implemented by the city of Waco and the efforts of the Waco Veterans’ Assistance program, the number of chronically homeless people in Waco have drastically declined. Waco’s ten-year plan focused on ending chronic homelessness through implementing education, rental assistance, foreclosure prevention, eviction prevention, interim housing, substance abuse treatment, mental health services, training, and eventually employment. The Waco VA has helped veterans by reserving thirty-five vouchers, which allow the veteran to only pay thirty percent of their income towards rent.
While the city of Waco has made great strides towards ending chronic homelessness, there is still more to do. Most sources confirm that Waco will face the issue of chronic homelessness again when soldiers return from war. In 2015, Waco I.S.D. reported that 1,119 students were considered homeless. Baylor students have many opportunities not only to educate themselves on the reality of Waco homelessness but also to help their fellow Wacoans.
Although many Baylor students do not call Waco home, we should not let that stop us from investing in our community. The “Baylor bubble” can fool students into disregarding real life issues until they graduate. However, Baylor and various local organizations offer many ways for students to invest in their community. We’ll be living in Waco for at least four years; why not spend that time helping others and learning about our city?
Nikki Thompson is a sophomore majoring in English.
Sources
http://www.actlocallywaco.org/2015/03/31/break-through-the-baylor-bubble-become-a-citizen-of-waco/
http://www.kwtx.com/content/news/Waco–Homelessness-Not-As-Bad-As-It-Used-To-Be-364314371.html
http://www.waco-texas.com/pdf/housing/10year-plan-homelessness.pdf
http://www.kxxv.com/story/32569040/waco-isd-sees-increase-in-homeless-students
Great article. I think you are right. When I was a student I never realised the many homeless people because like you said as a student it is easy to live in a bubble.