CoAct

CoAct, Tarrant County College | Connect
444 North Henderson Street

817-239-9561

Real Stories is a traveling art installation presented at college campuses to raise awareness and understanding towards students experiencing basic needs insecurities and homelessness. The content displayed is inspired by the student stories collected during the project and done in conjunction with a live story exchange from student champions. The stories and content provide a unique experience to help patrons leave with a better understanding of the struggle inherent with today’s college student.

Each installation is displayed at an institution to combat the lack of awareness often present with academic leadership and staff. It is not uncommon to hear “oh it does not happen here, or our school is too expensive for students to be homeless”. This common misbelief and the bias held towards those experiencing homelessness and basic needs insecurity makes this challenge difficult to discuss, diagnose, and address.

Real Stories creates a space free of judgement and retaliation where students can be their authentic selves and share inspiring stories to raise awareness and understanding to the unique challenges they face, and the extents of their personal perseverance.

Real Stories | COnnect will help illuminate the day-to-day experiences of students at Tarrant County College and the online campus Tarrant County College Connect.

11/06/2023 – 11/17/2023
Join us during National Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week at Tarrant County College | Connect Campus to learn more about the day-to-day experience of college students, the effects of basic needs insecurities, and the extents of their personal perseverance. Observe the art, contribute content, and learn more about this pressing issue and how it is effecting students at TCC.

11/13/2023: Panel Discussion
Join us November 13th at 6:00 pm to participate in a facilitated panel discussion to explore the day-to-day experience of today’s college student, the impact of college homelessness, and how art, spoken word, and virtual reality are creating change towards this critical topic.

11/14/2023: Public Viewing
Join us November 14th at 6:00 pm to explore the Real Stories installation and a Spoken Word Session with student champions to learn more about the day-to-day experience of college students, the effects of basic needs insecurities, and the extents of their personal perseverance.

Email: jesse.herrera@coactntx.org
Twitter: @coactntx
Instagram: @coactntx