the well-th report
Sometimes wisdom comes at an early age. This is certainly true in the fight against student homelessness — a growing issue made more visible and dire during Covid-19 school closures and service cutbacks.

While many people understand that students facing homelessness suffer from a lack of resources, a group of young students is transforming how we tackle the issue by also addressing a subtler part of the equation: the stigma around homelessness.
impact spotlight
EEqual: A Youth-run Nonprofit Striving to Overcome Student Homelessness
Founded in 2020 by six high schoolers, EEqual applies fresh energy, perspective and digital aptitude to solving this critical issue, using a two-pronged approach: providing direct resources and breaking misconceptions. While founders Matine Khalighi and Alyssa Gorkin are now college students, their work began when they were middle schoolers, drawing inspiration from a community service class.
Today, EEqual spans 12 chapters and 15 states and works with more than 1,000 homelessness liaisons across the U.S. to distribute its programming. It has raised more than $30,000 in scholarships for students experiencing homelessness and reached more than 3.5 million people through social media campaigns. And as its youth-led team points out, this work not only positively impacts homeless students, but also bolsters our collective future, given the positive impact a more educated youth has on communities and economies.
To help amplify its impact, EEqual has grown its team to 11 core members and a nationwide professional partners board made up of a diverse range of CEOs, educators, influencers and content creators who help the core team develop strategy, network and fundraise.
The newest member of this board — Bob Oros, chairman and CEO of Hightower — will be an invaluable asset to EEqual during the years ahead and serves as a testament to the organization’s potential.
Founded in 2020 by six high schoolers, EEqual applies fresh energy, perspective and digital aptitude to solving this critical issue, using a two-pronged approach: providing direct resources and breaking misconceptions. While founders Matine Khalighi and Alyssa Gorkin are now college students, their work began when they were middle schoolers, drawing inspiration from a community service class.
Today, EEqual spans 12 chapters and 15 states and works with more than 1,000 homelessness liaisons across the U.S. to distribute its programming. It has raised more than $30,000 in scholarships for students experiencing homelessness and reached more than 3.5 million people through social media campaigns. And as its youth-led team points out, this work not only positively impacts homeless students, but also bolsters our collective future, given the positive impact a more educated youth has on communities and economies.
To help amplify its impact, EEqual has grown its team to 11 core members and a nationwide professional partners board made up of a diverse range of CEOs, educators, influencers and content creators who help the core team develop strategy, network and fundraise.
The newest member of this board — Bob Oros, chairman and CEO of Hightower — will be an invaluable asset to EEqual during the years ahead and serves as a testament to the organization’s potential.
BOB OROS
“When I took the time to dig into EEqual and its mission, I found it to be inspiring and on point,” says Oros. “I look at the good fortune that my children are able to experience, and it means a lot to be involved with an organization that is helping kids who were dealt a different lot in life. So many young people experience hardship through no fault of their own, and what EEqual is doing to break the cycle of poverty for students who are experiencing homelessness is really in line with both my personal values and Hightower’s mission of helping people achieve ‘well-th’ in every aspect of their lives.”
Oros’ contributions come at a vital time for the organization. With student homelessness on the rise, EEqual’s mission is more important than ever. Fortunately, some of the best and the brightest minds —and most committed spirits — are leading the charge, and they have only just begun.
To learn more about EEqual, donate or get involved with the mission, visit eequal.org.
1. National School Boards Association, “Homeless Students in Public Schools Across America: Down but Not Out,” July 27, 2021, retrieved from https://www.nsba.org/Perspectives/2021/homeless-students on Sept. 21, 2021. 2. The Hope Center for College, Community, and Justice, “#Realcollege 2021: Basic Needs Insecurity During the Ongoing Pandemic,” March 31, 2021, retrieved from https://hope4college.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/RCReport2021.pdf on Sept. 21, 2021. 3. Wise, Bob. Alliance for Excellent Education, “High School Graduation Rates and Their Effect on the American Economy,” May 21, 2018, retrieved from https://all4ed.org/high-school-graduation-rates-and-their-effect-on-the-american-economy/ on Sept. 21, 2021.
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