Creating a compassionate identity for students experiencing housing instability
How do you make asking for help feel a little less scary? For the STLS program—which supports CPS students facing housing instability—I created a warm, compassionate identity that met families during one of the hardest moments of their lives. With soft visuals and welcoming messaging, I turned a confusing system into a safe space where families knew they weren't alone.
Glorified pixel-pusher and so much more
Design lead, Strategy, Research, Visual design
The challenge
For thousands of students across Chicago, home isn't a certainty—it's a moving target. Students in Temporary Living Situations (STLS) face housing instability that disrupts everything: where they sleep, whether they can get to school, if they can afford supplies, and ultimately, whether they stay enrolled at all.
These students might be living in shelters, doubled up with other families, staying in motels, or even sleeping in cars. Without stable housing, they often miss school during transitions, lose touch with teachers and friends, and face barriers that derail their education.
That's where the STLS program comes in. It was designed to guarantee these students immediate enrollment, free transportation, waived fees, free meals, tutoring, and school supplies. Every CPS school has an STLS Liaison who connects families to the resources they need.
My challenge? Create a clear, compassionate identity that would help families quickly understand what STLS is, who qualifies, and how to get support—without adding to the stress they're already facing. I needed a design solution that handled such delicate subject matter with genuine compassion, clarity, and professionalism while feeling approachable and welcoming. This wasn't just about making information visible—it was about letting families know they weren't alone.
The solution
I built the STLS identity around one core idea: this needed to feel like a safe space, not a system to navigate.
When a family lands on this page during one of the hardest moments of their life, I wanted them to see a hand reaching out—not red tape. That's what this identity does.
Bringing It to Life
I brought the STLS identity across every touchpoint families would encounter—posters, postcards, a website, and social media content. I also led the art direction for the campaign video, designing and illustrating all of its content to keep that same warmth and approachability throughout.
STLS Overview Video
Learn about the STLS program, eligibility, enrollment, and more.
Why This Matters
My hope for this project was simple: when a family in crisis sees this, they don't feel overwhelmed—they feel seen. Getting support shouldn't require jumping through hoops. This identity was designed to feel like a conversation, not a barrier—like someone reaching out and saying, "You're not alone. We've got you."
If this work helped even one student stay in school or one family find the support they needed, then it did exactly what it was meant to do. That's the kind of design I believe in—the kind that makes a real difference in people's lives.
