Homeless Childrens Education Fund

TO EDUCATE CHILDREN EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS IN ALLEGHENY COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

HCEF WORKS WITH PARTNERS INCLUDING 27 HOUSING AGENCIES AND PUBLIC SCHOOLS IN ALLEGHENY COUNTY TO CREATE HOPE THROUGH LEARNING FOR HOMELESS CHILDREN AND YOUTH. OUR PROGRAMS REACH CHILDREN FROM PRE-SCHOOL THROUGH YOUNG ADULTHOOD. IN 2021, ALL PROGRAMS CONTINUED TO SUPPORT STUDENTS IN PERSON AND VIRTUALLY. HCEF EXPANDED PROGRAMMING TO INCLUDE A NEW MOBILE LEARNING PROGRAM TO BRING TUTORING SERVICES TO MEET FAMILIES WHERE THEY ARE. SUPPLY DELIVERIES ALSO CONTINUED INCLUDING EDUCATIONAL SUPPLIES, TECHNOLOGY, AND GIFT CARDS (PRIMARILY FOR FOOD, TRANSPORTATION AND HYGIENE). HOMELESS SHELTER LEARNING CENTERS ARE BUILT JUST FOR KIDS AND EQUIPPED WITH TECHNOLOGY AND RESOURCES FOR EDUCATIONAL SUPPORT. THESE CENTERS ARE EQUIPPED WITH BOOKS, GAMES AND EDUCATIONAL TOYS IN ADDITION TO POSTERS AND PROMPTS THAT FOSTER EMOTIONAL AND SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT. WE EQUIP AND REFRESH THESE SPACES, AS NEEDED, TO KEEP THEM AT PEAK QUALITY FOR OUR YOUTH. BUILDING BLOCKS FOR SUCCESS AFTERSCHOOL AND SUMMER PROGRAMMING IS DELIVERED TO CHILDREN LIVING IN HOMELESS SHELTERS AND TEMPORARY RESIDENCES. WITH OUR INSTRUCTORS, LITERACY SPECIALIST AND INTERN TEAMS, WE FORGE RELATIONSHIPS WITH YOUTH AND THEIR PARENTS THAT ENABLE TRUST AND LEARNING. A QUALITY INSTRUCTOR AT EACH SITE IS ASSISTED BY A LITERACY SPECIALIST (WHO SHARES TIME BETWEEN ALL SITES) AND 2-3 COLLEGE INTERNS AND VOLUNTEERS. HCEF CONDUCTED GROUP ZOOM SESSIONS AND GOT TO KNOW EACH FAMILY INDIVIDUALLY (THE YOUTH AND THEIR PARENTS) DURING THE PANDEMIC. WE FOCUS ON OUTCOMES IN THREE AREAS: LEARNING STRATEGIES AND ENGAGEMENT, DEVELOPMENTAL RELATIONSHIPS AND SOCIAL AND EMOTIONAL LEARNING. THE MOBILE LEARNING PROGRAM MEETS THE UNIQUE NEEDS OF STUDENTS EXPERIENCING HOUSING INSTABILITY. STUDENTS EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS LEARN AND GROW WITH HIGH QUALITY, MOBILE TUTORS THAT VISIT STUDENTS WHERE THEY ARE IN THE COMMUNITY. INSTRUCTORS AND VOLUNTEERS TRAVEL TO BRING TUTORING TO STUDENTS' HOMES, LIBRARIES, PARKS, OR OTHER LOCATIONS CONVENIENT FOR FAMILIES. DURING THE SESSIONS, TUTORS BRING ACADEMIC ACTIVITIES, BOOKS, AND SUPPLIES DURING THEIR VISITS. THE PROGRAM WAS PILOTED IN THE SUMMER OF 2021 AND HAS CONTINUED TO GROW.ENRICHMENT PROGRAMS BRING CREATIVE, HANDS-ON STEAM (SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, ENGINEERING, ARTS AND MATH) EXPERIENCES TO ENHANCE LEARNING. THE OBJECTIVES OF THESE PROGRAMS ARE TO EXPAND A CHILD'S WORLD, INTEGRATE THEM INTO LARGE COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES AND PROVIDE A BASIS FOR "PRIOR KNOWLEDGE."

MINI-GRANT AND FIELD TRIP DOLLARS ARE DISTRIBUTED TO SHELTERS FOR COMMUNITY EXCURSIONS AND EDUCATIONAL PROJECTS BENEFITING HOMELESS YOUTH. THESE GRANTS WERE INFREQUENT DURING COVID 19. HOPE THROUGH LEARNING AWARD - IN 2021, WE GAVE OUT 8 AWARDS TO DEFRAY EXPENSES FOR STUDENTS ATTENDING COLLEGE. THIS EDUCATIONAL AWARD PROGRAM PROVIDES FUNDING TO STUDENTS WHO HAVE EXPERIENCED HOMELESSNESS AND ARE HEADING ON TO POST-SECONDARY COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES, TRADE SCHOOL OR CAREER INSTITUTES.OUR TEEN OUTREACH PROGRAM HAS TWO STAFF AND SEVERAL VOLUNTEER TUTORS WHO ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR THIS DIRECT SERVICE PROGRAM. THEY WORK TO ADDRESS THE UNIQUE CHALLENGES OF TEENS EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS WHO ARE DOUBLED UP OR MOVING FROM RELATIVE TO RELATIVE FOR A HOST OF REASONS. WE RECEIVE REFERRALS FROM GUIDANCE COUNSELORS AND SOCIAL WORKERS AND THEN PROVIDE CAREER AND COLLEGE READINESS PREPARATION TO THESE TEENS DURING SCHOOL HOURS. THE ANNUAL BACKPACK DISTRIBUTION THAT PROVIDES OVER 1,000 FULLY EQUIPPED BACKPACKS TO CHILDREN AND YOUTH EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS. THESE ARE BASED ON COMMUNITY REQUESTS AND ARE DISTRIBUTED TO 25 OF OUR PARTNERS.

HEN (HOMELESS EDUCATION NETWORK) ADVANCES COMMUNITY SUPPORT FOR HOMELESS YOUTH THROUGH PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT, AWARENESS, AND COLLABORATIVE PROJECTS. HEN HAS OVER 600 MEMBERS REPRESENTING 250 REGIONAL ORGANIZATIONS. MEMBERSHIP INCLUDED HOMELESS LIAISONS, TEACHERS, GUIDANCE COUNSELORS, AND GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS, AS WELL AS SOCIAL SERVICE AND COMMUNITY LEADERS.