Social Justice Conference Connects Central Valley Conversations to Student Experiences

What began as a class assignment for Natalia Alvarez became an opportunity to reflect on housing, food insecurity and the support available to students and their families.

Alvarez, a third-year creative media student at Stanislaus State, attended the 11th annual Social Justice in the Central Valley Conference. Held Oct. 21-24 at the Turlock and Stockton campuses, the conference brought together students, faculty, artists, community leaders and advocates to discuss issues affecting Central Valley communities.

"Honestly, I was only supposed to come for a class assignment," Alvarez said. "But after coming to the first talk, it started getting more interesting."

This year's conference, "Lens on the Valley: Examining Systems, Centering Communities, Inspiring Social Change," featured presentations, workshops, film screenings, art exhibitions and community conversations focused on equity, human rights and sustainability.

One featured discussion, "Unhoused Living and Food Insecurity," led by Andrew Conteh, examined how housing, food access and other basic needs affect individuals, families and communities.

Conteh, who teaches political science, public administration and leadership studies at Stan State, said his interest in the subject comes from both his academic work and his concern for people experiencing homelessness and food insecurity.

"Because, number one, I teach about these things," Conteh said. "But at the same time, I am a human being."

Conteh views housing and food insecurity as systemic issues. Explaining that some students may be faced with the difficult decision of having to choose whether they are going to pay for food, books and other educational expenses.

"Food is expensive, and food is something that you are not going to ignore," he said.

He connected the discussion to the concept of human security, which includes access to housing, education, food, environmental safety and physical protection.

"Today in international security studies, we need to focus not only on the nation-states, but we must also focus on human needs," Conteh said.

For Alvarez, the conversation connected with her own lived experience. She shared how the food box distribution at Stan State provides her and her family with an important resource.

"I give thanks to the school because they provide food," Alvarez said. "Then I bring it back, and I'm providing it for the rest of my family. I do believe some students have a hard time when it comes to food scarcity. But I also feel that Stan State does what they can to help."

The discussion also led Alvarez to consider how she thinks about people experiencing homelessness. She was raised with the idea that it is important to think about what others may be experiencing beyond their living circumstances. A film shown during the conference called "HomeTown Homeless" by Maleah Welsh reinforced that perspective for Alvarez.

"I was always told, you never know what the other person is going through," she said.

As for Conteh, he talked about the importance of food assistance and how it does not resolve the larger issues that contribute to food insecurity.

"Food aid is very important, but it can only go so far," Conteh said. "It's a temporary solution."

He encourages students and community members to remain involved by learning about local issues, attending city council meetings and communicating with elected officials.

"Let them know that you are here," he said. "Let them know you are concerned. Be involved, talk."