College Student Homelessness

Read the full story here.

Behind the cover photo:

Deadline was coming. I knew of some abandoned buildings on the south side of the now former Chesapeake Arena in downtown Oklahoma City. I asked my good friend and colleague Aaron J. Cardenas to some with me to try and find someone who was willing to be photographed and tell us a bit of their journey, and if they ever were in school or even considered going to college.

As we wandered into our third building, this massive warehouse with a side gate opening to the left of us, I heard something that resembled a growl coming from the next room behind the corner.

It was a man snoring.

I carefully walked towards the sound and peeked, and quickly took the photo. I made sure to conseal his face out of respect and the sake of his privacy.

Aaron and I didn't have the gall to wake the man and ask for his name, he seemed like he needed rest. We silently left and agreed the image portrayed a potential reality for many homeless college students, a need for shelter and peace.

We got the shot.

A small group of ambitious journalism students found and interviewed 5 students who were currently or potentially facing homelessness.