Ranks of homeless students are rising

"In tough times, the ranks of homeless students are rising"
Boston Globe, Evelyn Nieves, Dec.21, 2008

"Some district's report increases up to 100 percent"

This article talks about the national crisis of homeless families and children:

"As foreclosures and layoffs force families out of their homes, school districts across the nation are struggling to deal with a dramatic increase in the number of homeless children.Some districts are seeing increases of 50 to 1oo percent or more........Educators say students without a stable home are at greater risk of becoming truants, developing behavioral problems and failing school...An estimated 2 million children (nationally) are at risk of homelessness because of the foreclosure crisis and economic downturn...Alex Rodriguez, 32, and Rosa Estevez, 26, both lost their jobs---he at a car-parts store, she at an insurance office---when their companies left San Francisco. Within 12 months, the and their 12-year-old son were homeless. They wound up at the San Rafael House, a family shelter..."You've got dramatic foreclosures plus a million job losses," said Philip Mangano, director of the US Interagency Council on Homelessness, the administration's lead organization for addressing homeless issues. "We would be naive to believe that this wouldn't have an effect on families already struggling, and it has."

To read more, click here.

"Homeless Parents Wish For Shelter"

"Wish for the holidays: A roof over their heads"

Boston Globe City Weekly, 12/21/08


This article talks about homeless families in Cambridge staying in motels during the holiday season:

"Homeless, jobless and living at the Cambridge Gateway Inn with her two young daughter, Sadie Fry nevertheless considered herself one of the lucky ones."There are 654 homeless families at motels in the state of Massachusetts as of 12/10/08. "According to the Department of Transitional Assistance, motels receive an average of $85 per family per night, and the state places families in such arrangements when shelters are full."

To read more, click here.

Homeless Children

Can you imagine what it’s like trying to raise children in a homeless shelter?At the end of the day, Zack watches his friends go home to parents waiting with milk and cookies while he takes the bus ‘home’ to a crowded, chaotic shelter.

There are as many as 50,000 homeless children in the state public school system, according to the Mass Department of Education. The average age of a homeless child is eight. Grades falter in times of transition as children change schools on average twice a year. It takes 4-6 months just to catch up.*

The statistics are alarming. As the economy “melts down” and goes through its adjustment, numbers of homeless are rising. Services will be cut as state budgets are cut. And where’s the bailout for the homeless? We’ve seen Wall Street bailed out and people say “Why not Main Street?” Well, what about people who are ‘on the street?’

Since 1999, the Cambridge Housing Assistance Fund (CHAF)’s community coalition has raised $1,350,000 to open doors for more than 1400 homeless and near homeless at risk families. Realtors, banks, other businesses and universities have come together with concerned citizens and civic leaders to help our neighbors in need. Yet there’s more to do!You can help! Volunteer, join CHAF’s board, talk to your local business about sponsoring, or make a contribution. You can help the homeless to find homes!

Can you imagine what it’s like trying to raise children in a homeless shelter?

To make a financial contribution to CHAF, mail your check to:

Cambridge Housing Assistance Fund
678 Massachusetts Avenue, Suite 502
Cambridge, MA 02138

or, click here.

*Info from Homework Help for Kids Without Homes by Monica Brady-Myerov at WBUR.org