(MintPress) – Recovery College, a first-of-its-kind institution educating homeless citizens free of charge, opened its second term in the U.K. with record enrollment. The unique institution currently has 395 people enrolled in 60 courses and is gaining popularity among homeless populations previously forgotten by their government.
Unlike other costly institutions, Recovery College has no fees, no entry requirements and is completely volunteer-run. Students have the option to take classes in a variety of subjects, ranging from literacy to music.
There are also self-help courses that teach overdose awareness, first aid and how to feed yourself on a small budget. While the curricula is different than a typical college, the courses have helped hundreds learn practical skills and build confidence. For many, Recovery College is the gateway to a better life off the streets.
One student named Steve spoke enthusiastically about the program, saying that taking courses has given him “a bit of confidence.” Steve, now in his 50s, suffered from undiagnosed dyslexia, dropping out of school at age 12.
For many suffering from undiagnosed learning disabilities and mental illness, the college offers a fresh start and a new approach to learning where other schools failed.
While there are many other factors for the U.K. to address, including substance abuse issues, housing and future employment, a decent education is a critical first step for people hoping to create a better life for themselves and their families.
One important myth that the college subverts is the notion that homeless are lazy, incompetent people who simply do not want to enter the workforce. The overused trope in the U.S. is a popular one, especially among Republican lawmakers seeking to cut funding for poverty eradication programs.
The U.S. clearly has much to learn from such a program. As many as 3.5 million people are homeless in the U.S. in any given year, many of them veterans who similarly suffer from undiagnosed mental illness and learning disabilities.
Thus far, efforts to educate disenfranchised populations has been limited to initiatives by individual colleges and universities. Bard College, a small liberal arts institution in upstate New York created, the Bard Prison Initiative (BPI) connecting college professors and students with prisoners wishing to receive a college education.
The program is already having a remarkable positive impact on the lives of incarcerated men and women across New York state. According to the program website, “The rate of post-release employment among the program’s participants is high and recidivism is stunningly low.”
Launched in 2011, the program is currently educating 250 women and men pursuing either associate or bachelor degrees in five prisons across New York State.
Those in prison have the opportunity to study toward a college degree, an important step that experts believe will lower rates of recidivism, unemployment and homelessness. Many elected officials and educators have praised the program’s success, with former President Bill Clinton saying BPI “is a good investment in a safer, more productive society.”
Lawmakers can learn from the successes of BPI and Recovery College by funding similar initiatives. However, the idea appears to have little support in Congress.