The 10th Annual Christmas Cookie Walk will be on Sunday, December 15th! You can help us by baking some cookies! Click here to learn more!
Youth Facing Homelessness
Knowledge is power. Please return to this page — we are gathering excellent resources and links to useful sites for anyone interested in helping youth facing housing instability and homelessness.
Homelessness & Education
For data about homelessness among Richmond Public School students, click here. [tbc]
Project Hope — VirginiaProject HOPE – Virginia, the Virginia Education Program for Homeless Children and Youth, is a federally-funded grant authorized by the McKinney-Vento Homeless Education Assistance Act. Project HOPE – Virginia ensures the enrollment, attendance, and the success of homeless children and youth in school through public awareness efforts across the commonwealth and subgrants to local school divisions.
History of the McKinney-Vento Act
National Association for the Education of Homeless Children and Youth
The National Association for the Education of Homeless Children and Youth (NAEHCY) is the voice and social conscience for the education of children and youth experiencing homelessness. NAEHCY accomplishes this through advocacy, partnerships, and education.
NEW! The Most Frequently Asked Questions on the Education Rights of Children and Youth in Homeless Situations. By Barbara Duffild & Patricia Julianelle
The Homestretch
The Homestretch follows three homeless teens as they fight to stay in school, graduate, and build a future. Each of these teenagers – Roque, Kasey and Anthony – will surprise, inspire, and challenge audiences to rethink stereotypes of homelessness as they work to complete their education while facing the trauma of being alone and abandoned at an early age. Against all odds, these kids defy stereotypes as they create new, surprising definitions of home.
Change the World RVA and our partner, Advocates for Richmond Youth, hosted a screening of this film in Richmond, bringing together our supporters, volunteers and partners in addressing youth homelessness. If you were unable to attend, we encourage you to view the film. Check out more information on their web site. There are several video on demand options.
“The students in this film could be our students. They face similar struggles as well as the same astonishing hope and optimism about their futures. We invite the Richmond community to learn from this film and to join in the conversation about how to best support youth and address the homeless crisis in Richmond,” said Natalie May, founder and executive director of Change the World RVA.
Great Finds Online
"The Secret Lives of Homeless Students," by Jessica Sutherland. Upworthy. May 13 2015.
"Chicago Teens Face Homelessnes, Remain Hopeful," by Kasey Carlson & Whitney Young. Huffington Post. April 28 2015
"Community Colleges Have Abysmal Graduation Rates. Here's How to Change That," by Chris Peak. Nationswell. April 9 2015.
"First Generation Students Unite," by Laura Pappano. New York Times. April 8 2015.
"7 Things Every Kid Should Master" by Susan Engel. Boston Globe Magazine online. February 26 2015.
"How to Help Teens Find Purpose" by Patrick Cook-Deegan. Greater Good Berkeley. April 16 2015.
"Why Peer Pressure is the Key to Getting Low-Income Kids on the College Track" by Joseph Williams. Takepart.com. November 11 2015.