. . . how many homeless children there are in our area?

The transient nature of homelessness makes these figures difficult to calculate. However, it is estimated by the twice annually Allegheny County point-in-time studies that every day between and 500 and 600 children are receiving homeless services or housing in Allegheny County, their average age 7.8 years .

. . . where these children's parents are?

These children are not unloved. They come to a shelter with a parent or legal guardian, almost always a single mother. Abandoned children and young runaways generally do not reside in shelters with homeless children and are cared for by a different division of the social service system.

. . . how these families become homeless?

Homelessness has as many different causes as it has victims. Each family's situation is unique. A family may be displaced by fire, domestic violence, substance abuse, illness, or loss of a job. Too often it is simply the combination of low income and the ever-diminishing supply of affordable housing. A parent knows it is the children who suffer most in these circumstances. (To gain a sharper understanding of the causes of homelessness, ponder these questions.)

. . . where and how homeless children live?

Athough there are occasional news stories of whole families living in cars, that is not the norm. The first step for many homeless families may be moving in with relatives, not always a workable or long-term solution. An important alternative is the shelters and transitional living facilities in Allegheny County staffed by trained and compassionate professionals. Regrettably, all must cope with a shortage of ready funding. As a result, the effort to provide emergency necessities can supersede other needs.

. . . if homeless children attend public schools?

There are many barriers between homeless children and school attendance. The policy of the State Department of Education is that homeless children must be immediately admitted to a school in the district in which they are residing or the district in which they began the school year. Nevertheless, for a number of reasons this policy is difficult to implement. Sometimes it's a matter of a parent not knowing how to go about re-registering a child or of being too caught up in the multiple crises of sudden homelessness. Sometimes parents cannot afford the necessary sneakers, backpacks, and school supplies that a child wants and needs. Transportation can be a problem, as can moving in and out of shelters when 30-day rules apply.

For any of these reasons, therefore, many homeless children miss days – sometimes even weeks – of schooling and change schools often. Such circumstances immediately affect children's classroom performance and can have far-reaching consequences for their life-long potential.

Shelter staff members have told us:

. . . what HCEF does to serve these children?

The Homeless Children's Education Fund was established as a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit charity in 1999. Its mission is to serve as a voice for the homeless children of Allegheny County and to ensure that they are afforded equal access to the same educational opportunities and experiences as their peers. HCEF pursues this mission by leveraging community and governmental resources to serve the needs of homeless children, most dramatically through

• the establishment of Learning Centers and Resource Libraries in area shelters
• innovative programing like Building Block for Success through which children's reading levels can be assessed with the online software tool Star Reading and improved with the help of volunteer reading tutors and the acclaimed on-line Accelerated Reader and its AR BookFinder
• generous donations by individuals and community organizations to fund sound educational opportunities for children living in shelters, and
• advocation for systemic reform at the national, state, and local levels.

With these and other initiatives, HCEF has had a significant and positive impact on the lives of thousands of Allegheny County children over the years.

. . . how you can help?

Here are a number of specific ways you can contribute your talents and resources in support of HCEF's work. Our greatest need now is for Reading Tutors to work with the children in the shelter Learning Center

. . . how awareness of homelessness in Allegheny County is being raised

View these KDKA videos of a conversation with Joe Lagana and Joseph Vallarian of Duquesne Light about the HCEF Learning Center display at the 2008 Duquesne Light Home and Garden Show and a conversation with Pittsburgh Steeler Brett Keisel and Joe Lagana about how HCEF supports the educational needs of children residing in shelters.

The Diocese of Pittsburgh Department of Education – through its essay and poster contest held yearly during National Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week – encourages its middle school children to learn about homelessness through classroom discussion and research and to write an essay or create a poster expressing their new understanding of who is homeless, how people become homeless, and what citizens can do to raise awareness of the existence of homelessness in Allegheny County. Read the essays and view the posters of a number of this year's participants.

Homeless Awareness and Advocacy Network

Created by HCEF in 2006, this interagency partnership of schools (public and parochial), shelter providers, libraries, governmental agencies, and corporations sponsors community awareness initiatives. The Allegheny County Library Association's (ACLA) One Book, One Community focus on homelessness and a multiplicity of attendant events in March and April 2007 and the November Poverty Simulation were a direct result of the coalition's work. Partners include, but are not limited to, ACLA, Allegheny County Bureau of Hunger and Housing Services, Pittsburgh Public Schools, the Diocese of Pittsburgh, Bethel Park Library, Scholastic, Inc., and two area shelters – Sisters Place and the Salvation Army Family Crisis Center.

Updated 5/13/08