10 Complaints We Had As School Children Vs. 10 Struggles Of Homeless Children

To many, a homeless person has no particular name or face. We do not know who they are or how they have become homeless. We do not stop to get their story: Do they have a spouse, children, or even pets? What kind of hardships have they faced? Where are they from? The homeless are not only army veterans and drug addicts, many are families who cannot afford to put a roof over their heads.

"Why Can't I Get a New Backpack? My Old One Isn't Cool Anymore"

i.huffpost.com

While food, shelter and medical care are essential and basic needs, there are many other problems that homeless families are faced with. Are they able to live together? Is a shelter safe for a mother and child? Do children have the resources to be able to succeed in school? Are their children even able to go to school?

"Can't We Go Home Later? I Want to Stay Here"

unitedstill.com

Families are becoming an increasing part of the homeless population. They account for 41% of homeless nationwide. Many of these families consist of a single mother in her twenties with 2 to 3 children who are of preschool age. Living on the streets is very dangerous for homeless mothers, 90% of whom have been a victim of sexual or physical assault during their lifetimes.

"Can I Stay Home Sick Today? I Don't Feel Good"

america.aljazeera.com

1 in 45 children will experience homelessness in America every year. Homeless children are 4 times more likely to have issues with development and are twice as likely to repeat a grade. They also have trouble attending school because of little to no access to transportation, food, school clothes and supplies. They also fall ill 4 times as often and are two times more likely to develop depression or anxiety.

"Why Do I HAVE To Listen To My Teacher? She's Mean"

usnews.com

Many public schools can only enroll children that live in the surrounding neighborhood. When a child moves to a homeless shelter in a different neighborhood, the previous school can no longer take him or her. Even if the school allows the child to stay, transportation from shelters is not provided if it is outside of a school’s neighborhood. Because of this, children moving from shelter to shelter are forced to move from school to school, making it hard for them to make friends or connect with teachers.

"Do I Have to Do My Homework NOW? I Can Do It After Dinner"

fluxstories.com

Homeless shelters tend to be too noisy for children to get a good nights sleep or complete their homework thoroughly. Some shelters won’t even allow male adolescents to stay the night, forcing parents to put their children with a relative or friend so they do not have to sleep on the streets. This can sometimes mean that a child will no longer have access to an education, as some schools require children to live with their parents to be able to attend.

"Why Can't I Go to Her Birthday Party? It's Just A Sleepover"

i.huffpost.com

Many homeless children are made fun of because they do not have a home to go back to. They become ostracized due to their lack of ability to make connections. Because many do not stay in a school long enough to catch up in class, they also come unprepared. Sometimes schools are unaware that a child is homeless because he or she is too embarrassed to inform a teacher.

"I Don't Know If I Want To Be A Doctor or A Lawyer When I Grow Up. Choosing is HARD."

d.lib.ncsu.edu

Homeless children are not receiving a proper education due to the lack of support from schools and the community. Without the proper help, children will be unable to graduate with a high school diploma, let alone complete elementary or middle school. The cycle of homeless children becoming homeless adults will continue to occur unless we find a way to connect these children with a good education.

"Do I Have to Take the Bus? It Leaves So Early"

static01.nyt.com

While the best way to assure a child’s success is a stable home environment and permanent lodging, schools need to be accommodating to children for whom that is not possible. Children should be allowed to stay in the same school, even if they have to move shelters. By offering the children a way to get from a shelter to their school, they can make friends and complete a class from start to finish.

"Do I Have to Invite Her? She's Weird"

trademarkia.com

Children should not have to feel ashamed for being homeless. Schools and communities should teach awareness and acceptance so homeless children can feel secure enough to seek help from teachers and adults when they need it. Connections with teachers and friends can help keep homeless children on track at school as well as lower depression and anxiety. Homelessness should not be made fun of, it should be understood.

"Why Can't I Play Outside? I Will Be Careful I PROMISE."

archindy.org

Women and their children need a safe place to stay. Shelters and Transitional Housing exclusively for women and their families promote safe communities where homeless families can support one another, children can properly study and sleep and women can receive the job training she needs to get back on her feet. Staying informed helps families to receive the best assistance and gives them access to the right programs. Help homeless families by connecting them to resources like:

https://uscsparechange.wordpress.com/

http://www.womenshelters.org/cit/ca-los_angeles

And organizations like The Downtown Women’s Center and http://www.goodshepherdshelter.org/ Non-profits that help families find low income housing assistance and provide job training programs and classes for Mother’s to get back on their feet.