Poverty/Homelessness

     As future teachers, we need to think about if our students are getting the right attention and environment outside of school. Believe it or not, children's living citations reflect on their behavior and performance in school. it’s hard for students to focus when they have to worry about where they are going to sleep that night or how they're going to eat. Homelessness is something I’m pretty sure we have all seen at some point in our lives and to this day poverty and homelessness are still one of the main struggles that we face. 

    It’s unfortunate to think that others look at you differently if they see you are homeless. They tend to think you’re not a good person when in reality that’s not the case at all. Most students end up in this situation because of their toxic home environment or parents giving them up. In a film called the Homestretch, they show and talk about certain students' stories and the obstacles they have to face. Along with the help of the important people that make a difference in their lives. The themes that are seen in this film are loneliness and faith as you see these students face these scenarios and work their way to come out of them. For instance, a young student named Roque was his own parent because he didn’t have the care and affection he needed to help him succeed and become the best version of himself. He talks about how loneliness is one of his worst battles and wouldn’t wish it on any of his enemies. We have to think about our children’s mental state especially considering last week's discussion, mental health is essential to maintain that balance and well-being within yourself. Fortunately, Roque got help from his teacher Mrs. Rivera who noticed his struggles and brought him into her home and is now helping him to become the best he can be. I know in a way we’re all willing to help, but in this case, Mrs. Rivera is Roque’s hero and provides him with what he needs while giving him love and affection too. Mrs. Rivera also had a hard life growing up and her one concern was how nobody questioned her. It was obvious that during those times she wasn’t in a well and safe environment and none of the teachers seen concerned or asked. As teachers, we are aware of and observe our students on how they present themselves and how they act throughout the day. If you see a child wearing the same clothes for a week straight ask them about it and see if there is anything you can do to help. As teachers, we are like the children's second parents and have to ensure the well beings of the children. There are also housings and places to go for young students to get help called TLP which provides a room, meals, and a support network for homeless youth trying to work or go to school.

    “Since 2008, the number of homeless students identified by public schools each year has increased by more than 100% “ from, approximately 680,000 to 1,384,000 students in 2019” (Cai, J). It’s clear that the homeless rates continue to rise and the help doesn’t continue to rise with it. Most shelters or housings also have a certain capacity and can’t always accept everyone who comes to their facility. We need to build more housing or small communities to help those in need as well as students and young adults. It’s not the children’s fault that they were out in situations like this and to not look at them as different but as victims of a harsh life at such a young age that now that’s all they know or remember. As this becomes more of a problem beneficial programs are being made to help homeless students get the education they need. One, in particular, is called McKinney-Vento homeless education which is a program that supports homeless children and youth to have equal access to free and appropriate public education. This program allows students to enroll immediately, and receive transportation to and from school and other beneficial consequences. Funding plays a big part in this change as well considering we need money to build housing and more schools to provide the best for them since they’ve never received the best they can get. “Funding will support more than 116,500 students across the New York State” (Mc-Kinney Vento Homeless Education). If we can provide the funds' whether it’s through fundraisers or donations it could make an impact on society and the community. It’ll allow young adults and children to get the guidance they need because, in reality, they need guidance. Being brought up in hardships and seeing things from a young age create children to act the way they do because they see it as normal or ok. Survival also plays a big part in this because being neglected or homeless at a young age you have to figure out how to survive which can lead to bad consequences in the child’s life. We need to reflect and think critically to have the best outcome for them. 

   There are books and songs about this topic that can help educate kids and students that sometimes not everyone has what you have and it’s always good to help others around you when they need it. For example, A Pace to Stay by Erin Gunti is a shelter story and touching picture book. It’s about a women's shelter and how it's seen through the eyes of the young girl in the book as she uses her imagination to overcome her emotions and to help her adjust. There’s also a song called “Nobody sees me” by Tom Byrne and I apologize in advance if you get a bit watery eye from listening as I did when I first listened to the song. People forget that there’s a story behind people being homeless it’s not because they did something bad or that there’s no excuse for it. Tom sings about the emotions and how homeless people feel during this time in their lives and how much it affects them mentally and physically. We need to acknowledge what’s in front of us and make a difference in these children's lives because we’re all they have left to make that difference.

                                                                         References 

Cai, J. (2020, July 27). Homeless Students in Public Schools Across America: Down but Not Out. National School Boards Association. https://www.nsba.org/Perspectives/2021/homeless-students

De Mare, A., Kelly, K., & Taber, K. (Producers), & De Mare, A., & Kelly, K. (Directors). (2014). The homestretch [Streaming video]. United States: Bullfrog Films.

Erin Gunti, (2019). A Place to Stay.  https://www.getepic.com/book/79745360/a-place-to-stay-a-shelter-story

Homeless song-(Original song by Tom Byrne)-(IncI lyrics). https://youtu.be/bsGLwh183Ao

Mc-Kinney Vento Homeless Education. (2021). New York State Education Department. http://www.nysed.gov/essa/mckinney-vento-homeless-education

New York State Education Department. (2022, August 17). New York State Department of Education Awards $7.1 Million in Federal Grants to Programs Supporting Homeless Students. http://www.nysed.gov/news/2022/new-york-state-education-department-awards-71-million-federal-grants-programs-supporting