Freshman Kayvon Handsford spent his childhood looking for a place to belong.
Originally from Florida, he grew up moving between Alabama, Georgia, Texas, North Carolina, and most recently, the South Side of Chicago.
“For years, I moved from state to state, searching for a sense of belonging that always seemed just out of reach,” he said.
Then, Handsford spent his senior year of high school living in a Chicago homeless shelter.
“It was a difficult period that exposed me to some of life’s lowest moments and challenged me in ways I never expected,” he said. “But I stayed focused on my education and my future.”
School became his refuge.
“It was my get-away when there were problems at home. I would wake up feeling drowsy, but once I’m on the bus going to school, I gained a ball of energy and I’m just ready to go,” Handsford said. “Even when the homework seemed hard, it helped my brain really relax from the housing problems we were dealing with.”
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He also found solace and formed friendships while playing clarinet in the marching band and getting lost in video games. Handsford quickly picked up coding skills in a high school class and began dreaming of a future career in game design.
While discussing post-graduation options with his counselor at Hirsch Metropolitan High School, Handsford said one university rose above the rest.
“Illinois State really stood out to me as a bright light,” he said.
Supported by a Redbird Academic Scholarship, Handsford enrolled as a Redbird and chose to major in game design with the School of Creative Technologies.
Through a new student group chat, he met fellow freshman Kam’ryn Thompson, whose family supported Handsford in his transition to college by offering him a place to stay over the summer.
“I’ll always be grateful to Kam and his family. They helped me prepare for what to expect in college,” he said.
Handsford did not set foot on campus until Preview orientation, but he immediately felt at home.
“For the first time in years, I felt like I had found a place where I truly belonged. Finding a sense of home was something I had been searching for most of my life. Illinois State became that place for me. It represents stability and opportunity,” Handsford said.
He already has the campus map memorized and is growing familiar with student support services.
“Now that I know support is really out there for me, it feels good to know I can open up and ask for help if I need it. I don’t have to work through everything on my own,” Handsford said.
“It feels good to know I can open up and ask for help if I need it. I don’t have to work through everything on my own.”
—Kayvon Handsford
Handsford is eager to join the Redbird Super Smash Bros club through Redbird Gaming. He is also considering future involvement with the Big Red Marching Machine. But for now, he is focused on course work and meeting new friends.
In his newly decorated room in a residence hall, a special graduation card is on display.
“While living in the homeless shelter, there was a worker who I could always talk to,” Handsford said. “He gave me a graduation card that was so inspirational, I had to bring it with me. It says, ‘You’re a great kid and you have big things ahead of you.’”
Handsford said he hopes his experience reminds anyone facing similar challenges that “difficult circumstances do not have to define their future.”
“I always knew if I put in the work, I could succeed. And look at me now. I feel like I’m going to love this place.”
