This week, November 11-November 15, the School District of Lancaster is observing Education for Children and Youth Experiencing Homelessness (ECYEH) Awareness Week, a statewide initiative to bring attention to the challenges faced by students without stable housing.
Lisette Rivera and Patricia Maila, coordinators for the district’s Families in Transition program, recently traveled to Harrisburg to advocate for additional support and resources. Since the beginning of this school year, the program has assisted more than 650 students experiencing homelessness.
“Our numbers continue to rise, and unfortunately, the resources are becoming less and less in our community,” said Rivera. “What limited funding has done for us is force us to pick and choose who we can give resources to,” added Maila.
Across Pennsylvania, more than 46,000 students were identified as homeless during the 2022-2023 school year, with over 2,000 of those students living in Dauphin, Lancaster, and York counties.
In recognition of ECYEH Awareness Week, Pennsylvania has designated Friday, November 15, 2024, as “Red Shirt Day”, encouraging schools and communities to wear red in solidarity with students experiencing homelessness.
This effort also highlights the importance of ensuring that students and families are aware of their rights under the McKinney-Vento Act, which provides critical protections and support for children and youth facing housing instability.
The School District of Lancaster remains committed to advocating for its students and addressing barriers to education caused by homelessness. Together, we can ensure every child has the support they need to thrive.
Watch the full coverage on FOX43. For more information on the Families in Transition program or how you can support students experiencing homelessness, CLICK HERE