According to a recent study by the National Alliance to End Homelessness, "The State of Homelessness in America 2015," on a single night in January 2014, more than 578, 424 people were homeless, meaning they were sleeping outdoors, living in an emergency shelter or a transitional housing program.  More than 45,205 of those individuals were children and youth.
 
University System of Georgia Embark program, will host a one-day conference at Fort Valley State University at 10 a.m. Thursday,  Jan. 14 in the C. W. Pettigrew Farm and Community Life Center. The keynote speaker will be Mona Dixon, the Boys and Girls Clubs of America 64th Annual Youth of the Year.
 
Dr. Jacqueline Caskey-James, director of Student Health and Counseling Services, says the one-day conference will help students overcome barriers that will help them earn their college degrees.
 
"My goal is to reduce the barriers that foster care and homeless students experience such as limited food, clothing and personal items," Caskey-James said. "I see no need for anyone to suffer when there are resources are available.  In reducing these barriers, we can help these students to progress. We can also retain more students and ultimately help them to graduate."  
 
The USG Embark program, based at the J.W. Fanning Institute for Leadership Development at the University of Georgia, is designed to increase college access for young people that have lived in foster care system, or have experienced homeless.  
 
Keynote speaker Dixon, who lived in a constant state of homelessness, graduated third in her class at Tempe High School, and recently earned her bachelor's degree in management from Arizona State University's Barrett Honors College and the W.P. Carey School of Business. She is currently working on her graduate degree in Communication Studies, with an emphasis in advocacy, and obtaining a certificate in Special Events Management.
 
For more information, contact Caskey-James at (478) 825-6174.