Task 2022

The Intersection of Homelessness and Public Schools

In Washington Dc there are approximately 32,000 people living in poverty and about 6,000 homeless children. Homelessness in children is an issue we are beginning to see more in our classrooms in Washington DC. Homelessness can often lead to depression, anxiety, and emotional insecurities in children. Children in urban environments living in poverty are more likely to experience homelessness in their lifetime.

According to the United States Interagency Council on Homelessness, public school data reported to the U.S. Department of Education during the 2018-2019 school year show that an estimated 6,858 public school students experienced homelessness over the course of the year. Of that total, 108 students were unsheltered, 1,427 were in shelters, 318 were in hotels/motels, and 4,746 were doubled up. Data since the covid 19 pandemic has not yet been updated, however, the rise of homelessness across the country due to the covid 19 pandemic could directly correlate to including more homeless students.

Homelessness in Washington D.C

Child Homelessness and Housing Insecurity in America 

Public Schools + Housing insecurity 

Organizational Field 

· Major players?

· Key recommended practices for children experiencing homelessness

· Alliances and collaborations

StandUp for Kids

· Mission

· Core services

· founding/struggles/shifts in mission

· Nonprofit status?

· Funding sources

Other Organizations with similar missions/purposes

Application of what we learned in class

Strategies & alliances 

StandUp for Kids is a national non-profit organization dedicated to ending the cycle of youth homelessness in local communities. Founded in 1990, StandUp for kids has cared for homeless and at-risk youth by transitioning them from crisis to connection. StandUp for kids gives youth a sense of safety, hope, and belonging through housing support, mentoring, drop-in centers, and street outreach. The organization has the highest independent ratings for fiscal stewardship of all donations. In Washington D.C since 2000, StandUp for Kids has empowered youth up to age 25 who are without homes or at-risk for homelessness in the Washington, DC area. StandUp for Kids, an all-volunteer organization, uses a combination of StandUp for Kids national activities and collaborations with local organizations to provide youth with the most effective tools and resources for success. 

Currently, the services provided include mentoring, tutoring, street outreach, and drop in centers. Through mentoring, StandUp for kids helps youth complete education, gain employment, sustainable housing, improve life skills, and secure vital documents. Through tutoring support, there is assistance with educational needs including obtaining GEDs and the organization also offers one-on-one tutoring services through Community Cares partnership with HousingUp. Street Outreach includes work that is done through volunteering in pairs and/or small groups to connect with DC youth every Tuesday evening from 6-8pm. 

Experiencing StandUp for Kids

Bellah, R. N., Madsen, R., Sullivan, W., Swidler, A., & Tipton, S. (1991, July 12). “The good society”: Shaping institutions that shape us. Commonweal, 425-429.

In the text, Bella defines institutions as organizations that depend on moral ecology to remain healthy. However, the institution is made ideally with the individualism culture that makes the idea of institutions not easily accessible for most individuals. The institutions with individualisms also makes it challenging to guarantee fairness in the institutions. Therefore, Bellah defines institutions as organizations established with a specific purpose to achieve in the community.

These institutions need togetherness and the desire to work in unison. The corporation is the main institution in American life. Therefore, the institutions must establish a specific historical pattern of duties and rights of responsibilities and power that makes institutions considered a significant force in American life. Institutions must not be confused with the organizations. With the organizations, one has the choice of changing the organization when they feel they are not treated fairly, however, with an institution, it might be challenging since once one shifts the institution, they grow into destructors in life experiences.