Fresno State students support the unhoused community during Care Day

A lot of positivity during Black History month at Fresno State.

So many events took place to celebrate this historic month.  One of them was ‘Care Day’, a day of supporting the local unhoused communities. The event took place February 17.

In partnership with the Amendola Student Cupboard, students of the Fresno State Black Student Success Initiative engaged in community service by handing out 200 care packages. There was fruit, first aid kits, and other things to help people stay warm and dry.

Women’s Gender Studies major Krysalyn Jacobs loves to give back.

“It feels great honestly.  You see a lot of homelessness around in Fresno and honestly this can impact the community a lot,” says Jacobs.  “This can help a lot of our homelessness.  You know, just the little things matter, you know?  Just to show that we care.”

Students met near Downtown Fresno where they began the journey of walking the streets and handing out the care packages.

Unhoused communities have been the subject of recent local government efforts to provide affordable housing and end chronic street homelessness, something these volunteers say is essential.

“Throughout the pandemic, the city of Fresno saw some of the highest rent increases in the entire nation,” says D’Aungillique Jackson, who is the coordinator of the Black Student Success Initiative.

“And the way that impacts people in a city where over 40 percent of residents are renters, protecting those who are unhoused is crucial,” Jackson says.

The Fresno State Black Student Success Initiative was successful that day. All care packages were delivered and brought smiles and happy faces to all members of the unhoused community.