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Representative comments expressed by the 325 Summit II attendees:
"A model of collaboration for engaging the community" "The event demonstrated a positive private public partnership to address a community challenge" "Great energy, enthusiasm and seriousness for addressing the problem" "Thanks for bringing this community tragedy out in the open" "A day of significance for informing and mobilizing the community" "A conversion of ignorance of the problem, for me, to a commitment for action" "A game changing day for me! It was an awakening!" "Encouraging to hear and feel the commitment to address this invisible challenge." "Innovative approach not only relying on government funding" "For me a connection of the mind to my heart thanks to Terrance Moses."
Perspectives expressed by the Summit II presenters:
Barbara Duffield: Schools may be the one thing that remains stable in the lives of children who are homeless. Senator Wayne Fontana: Education should not be one more hurdle that these children face. Representative Chelsa Wagner: At a time when resources are tight, we must collaborate and combine resources. Representative Jake Wheatley: All children should have the opportunity to reach their untapped potential. Dr. Linda Lane: We need to learn how to work smarter and work together. U.S. Senator Bob Casey: The education of children and youth experiencing homelessness is a civil rights and social justice issue. Clairton Collaborative: Interagency communication has increased. There is an increase in parental comfort and confidence. Children need to receive a consistent message from parents, agency program staff, and the school district. David Hickton: Children are our present and our future. How we rear them determines our country's future. Helping these children is both common sense and good judgment. Nancy Hubley: Listen to the children and families we serve. They are the experts. Dr. Linda Hippert: As educators, we want to do what is right, but doing right often sounds simpler than it is. Dr. Elizabeth Ehrlich: See the value in the child. Grant Oliphant: There are powerful possibilities through partnerships. These children are not forgettable, not disposable.
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A Student's Perspective: "My life goal is to build my mom a house"
Terrence Moses, a student at Sto-Rox High School, performed his rap about being homeless —One Way Road — not just once but twice, receiving a standing ovation each time. At twenty years old, Terrance is graduating from Sto-Rox High School in June and plans to go on to college. Watch a video of Terry's rap here (10.2mb). View also Sheldon Ingram's WTAE interview with Terry on the streets of Braddock.
- Overview of the Summit: Charlie LaVallee, Director, Homeless Education Network
- Introduction of special guest Susan Corbett, Pennsylvania First Lady
 
- Opening Remarks: Bobby Vagt, President, The Heinz Endowments
Perspectives and Challenges of Educating Children and Youth Who Are Experiencing Homelessness
- The National Perspective: Barbara Duffield, Policy Director, National Association for the Education
of Homeless Children and Youth
- The State Perspective: From left to right — Pennsylvania Representative Jake Wheatley, Pennsylvania Senator Wayne Fontana, Pennsylvania Representative
Chelsa Wagner, and Homeless Education Network Director Charlie LaVallee
- The Local Perspective: From left to right — Dr. Linda Lane, Superintendent, Pittsburgh Public Schools and Marc Cherna, Director, Allegheny County Department of Human Services
Video message
The Clairton Collaborative
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From left to right — Sister Mary Parks, Executive Director, Sisters Place; Maureen McGarvey, Guidance Counselor, Clairton City School District; Laura Bailey, Education Program Manager, Homeless Children's Education Fund; and Bill Wolfe, Executive Director, Homeless Children's Education Fund
Collaborations and Resources
- From left to right — Dr. Elizabeth Ehrlich, Dr. Linda Hippert, Nancy Hubley
- Young Children Experiencing Homelessness – Perspective: Nancy Hubley
Education Law Center – Managing Attorney, Western Pennsylvania, see also School Success for Students Without Homes: A Tool Kit for Parents and Providers
- School District Perspective: Dr. Linda Hippert
Executive Director, Allegheny Intermediate
Unit
- Superintendent Perspective: Dr. Elizabeth Ehrlich
Assistant Superintendent, Clairton City School
District
Introduction of David Hickton
- Ira Weiss, Esq., solicitor for the Pittsburgh Public Schools and other school districts
Next Steps
- Grant Oliphant, President and CEO, The Pittsburgh Foundation
Summary of presentations and closing remarks
Receiving the Homeless Children's Education Fund's first annual Unsung Hero Award
from HCEF Founder Dr. Joseph Lagana were:
From left to right — Reginald Young, Kevin Jenkins, Joseph Lagana, Stanley Thompson,
Reginald Young, Deputy Director, Office of Community Service, ACDHS: for his directorship of the program that provides family stability through housing and support
Dr. Stanley Thompson, Program Director, The Heinz Endowments: for his advocacy of "customized learning plans" to enable children and youth to succeed academically
Kevin Jenkins, Director of Community Initiatives and Senior Program Officer, The Pittsburgh Foundation: for raising visibility and generating awareness of the needs of children and youth experiencing homelessness
and Peggy Neal: who as HCEF webmaster since 2005 has been the "behind-the-scenes person" enabling HCEF to tell its story in multiple ways
Who attended? The goal was 200 participants. Actual attendance was 325, representing 15 organizations: Allegheny County Department of Human Services; homeless housing agencies; Operation Safety Net; Education Law Center, Allegheny Intermediate Unit; Pittsburgh Public Schools; Pennsylvania's Homeless Children's Initiative - Region 4, Clairton City School District, Sisters Place, Diocese of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania Department of Education; Duquesne University; state, local, county, and federal officials; not-for-profit agencies; The Heinz Endowments; and The Pittsburgh Foundation.
Local media coverage of Summit II: WTAE NEWS includes a video featuring WTAE's Sheldon Ingram and Terrance; Pittsburgh Post-Gazette report by Mary Niederberger; and
Pittsburgh Tribune-Review report by Adam Brandolph.
Mary Niederberger's follow-up story on Summit II appeared in the 4.14.11 Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
(11/10/11)
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