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- Homelessness affects more than 1.3 million students in the United States.
- School districts receive money from the federal government to help provide needy students with basic supplies, food and transportation to school.
- A school district in Kansas City, Kansas, with over 1,000 homeless students, partnered with Avenue of Life, a nonprofit organization that brings students out of homelessness by supporting the entire family.
- Impact Wednesday program helps low-income families find housing and jobs while adults take classes on employment and finance. The organization has found homes for 65 families during the 2017-2017 school year.
- The ultimate goal is to provide students the support and resources they need to graduate and never be homeless again.
Class discussion questions
- Essential question: How would being homeless affect a young person’s life?
- Were you aware that there are many homeless students and families living in the U.S.? Do you think most Americans are aware of this problem?
- How do nonprofit organizations like Avenue of Life receive financial support? Do you think the government has a responsibility to do more to address student homelessness? Explain your answer.
- Does your community (or nearest town or city) offer services to help homeless students and their families? How could you find out if such services exist?