When children become homeless, the uncertainties of their situation and the accompanying emotional stress may mean they do not attend school for days, even weeks. Once back in school – often not the school they had been attending – they may have difficulty adjusting to new teachers, different expectations, and unfamiliar classmates. Take-home work may require educational resources (encyclopedias and dictionaries, for example) not readily available to them. They are further disadvantaged when homework assignments require access to a computer, which they likely do not have. Children who are homeless can quickly fall behind.
HCEF is committed to advocating for the educational rights of these children and to fostering within them "hope through learning."
We are privileged to have as our partners in this endeavor the dedicated homeless housing agency directors and after-school program staffs and HCEF volunteers. As one director has written to us:
"Jimmy came up to me and handed me an envelope. It was his report card and he had all A's. In the next few minutes a half dozen children shared their report cards with me, and it was all good news. Every one of those who shared were on the Honor Roll. Before he lived at ____ , Jimmy was in more than three schools in one year (more than nine schools in all) because his mother was shelter hopping. As you know all too well, this is the phenomenon that occurs when homeless people do not find permanent housing before their allowable 'time' in the shelter is exhausted. With the stability of a home and people who care, Jimmy is living up to his potential. Did I mention he's in the Gifted Program? We are doing all we can to help our children and their mothers succeed. How grateful we are for generous people like you who make it all possible! Thank you."
"With your continued support, we are able to positively impact the lives of our children."
"HCEF's groundbreaking work in finding ways to enrich the lives of kids homeless in Allegheny County and its advocacy and hard work have empowered many, many youngsters and have given them the tools they need to succeed in life."
(9/5/10)
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