Public Health Capstone, Spring 2025
Public Health Approaches to Addressing Homelessness
For the past two years, students in Dr. Mackenzie’s Senior Capstone classes have conducted research and developed and implemented a campaign to reduce stigma around homelessness on campus and in the South Bay. Working in community settings, students have conducted quantitative and qualitative research with people experiencing homelessness with the guidance of local community partners at The Law Foundation of Silicon Valley and Mobile Showers. In Spring 2025, students conducted in-depth interviews about the health impacts of living without shelter. Students created videos as part of the Unhoused Initiative’s anti-stigma campaign.
In Fall 2025, students will pilot a Wellness Audit Tool based on the findings of Spring Capstone student research. This Wellness Audit will assess the impacts of displacement and encampment sweeps on physical and mental health and well being, as well as access to resources, among people experiencing homelessness in the South Bay.
We are grateful for the mentorship of Tristia Bauman, Directing Attorney at The Law Foundation of Silicon Valley and Larry Cargnoni and Monica Rising of Mobile Showers, for their work and mentorship of SCU Public Health students.