Out talking with the people and collecting signatures this morning and I stopped to talk to a man who signed my papers. As I was getting ready to leave he pleaded, "Don't forget the homeless!"
It got me thinking, we have hundreds of kids in LYNN PUBLIC SCHOOLS and you know the most I can remember about how LPS deals with this problem is the eager anticipation on how we are going to spend the reimbursement from the state for their transportation cost.
We had a Homeless Liaison who left. We may have replaced her, maybe not.. I don't ever remember a presentation about a program in the three years I've been attending LSC meetings. It seems like a significant segment of the student population is being ignored. Almost every meeting there is time to mention some individual's accommodation or accomplishment. The MAYOR often finds time to make a certificate.
What about OUR accomplishment. When I am elected I promised this resident of the SHELTER I won't forget.
I have discovered that all those who are categorized as 'homeless' are not actually without a home. For instance, students who live under someone else's roof, such as another family member, even if they are also living there with their parents, are categorized as 'homeless' I don't think this is right or fair to those who are truly homeless!!
ReplyDeleteWhy isn't it? If your house burns down and you and your family all move into your cousin's house, for example, you're homeless.
Deletehttp://www.endhomelessness.org/library/entry/changes-in-the-hud-definition-of-homeless
DeleteIn my opinion, homeless is when you are living on the streets or in a shelter. I don't think a person who has a roof over their head and is able to enjoy all the amenities should be considered homeless, even if the roof they are living under is not their own. Would you consider a child who lived with his/her parents at a family members house for 3 months while they looked for a new house to be homeless? I certainly do not. Especially if the house the child had to live in was a 3 bedroom 2 bath single family home in a nice quiet neighborhood in Ward 1. That child slept in his/her own warm cozy bed every night, took at least 1 warm shower every day, had clean clothes to put on every day, ate at least 3 meals a day, played outside every day with friends, enjoyed the inground pool in the backyard, etc. Is it right or fair to categorize this child the same as another child who is cold and hungry and sleeping on the street or in a shelter? I do not think so!
ReplyDeleteIt doesn't matter where you live, it's why you are there!
ReplyDeleteHousing standards law actually demands one bed for each child and separate rooms (with a door, closet and window) for boys and girls. That said, couch surfing is what many youth are forced to do so they can finish school. LPS has McKinney-Vento Homeless funds. I do know of a couple of formerly homeless students who are assisted thru this act. Kids age-out or leave foster care early, parents are unable or unwillingly to care for "older children" often 14+ increasing the "homelessness" of our society. Lisa C
ReplyDeleteAgree to disagree!
ReplyDeleteRemember what they say about fish anf house guest. Not ab optimum environment for learning.
ReplyDelete