Embracing our homeless youth

A variety of resources report that over the past few years, homeless families make up between 34 percent to 41 percent of the total U.S. homeless population and are the fastest growing demographic of homeless people. Here in our own community, Henderson County Public Schools reports that in the 2016-2017 school year, it identified 372 homeless students, an increase from 304 the previous year.

Homeless families might live in a shelter, motel, vehicle or campground, on the street, in abandoned buildings and other inadequate accommodations, or be doubled up with their friends and relatives since they cannot afford their own housing. For children in these situations, child care centers and schools provide what may be the only place children feel safe, have stability and have access to food.

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