children and youth in Central Texas
to complete and enrich their
academic education.
Students in homeless situations face challenges that make attending and succeeding in school more difficult, including high mobility, precarious living conditions and poverty. Recent studies indicate that:
- more than 20% of homeless kids do not attend school
- of those that do, over 40% attend 2 schools in 1 year, and
- 28% attend 3 or more schools in 1 year.
These same studies show that each time a student changes schools, they are set back academically and socially an average of 4 to 6 months, making it increasingly difficult to maintain grade level performance without tutoring or academic assistance.
Click here to read letters from some of the kids we've helped.
Armando
Living in his car while attending classes, Armando was referred by Project HELP to Life Works, which moved the 17-year-old student into an emergency youth shelter. Though doing well academically, Armando was transferred to the Juvenile Justice Alternative Learning Center because of a felony offense. Project HELP actively participated in Armando's removal hearing and provided school supplies until he completed high school and was admitted to Austin Community College.
Susan
A 14-year-old loner with ADD, Susan ran away from home to escape her drug-addicted mother whose hallucinations and bipolar disorder made Susan's life unbearable. Project HELP arranged for Susan to live with relatives in another school district and provided her with clothing, school supplies, and bus passes. With these services and the ongoing encouragement of a Project HELP staff member, Susan is now an academic success at her high school.
Ms. Bee
Ms. Bee came to Project HELP for assistance in enrolling her three children in school. Her oldest son, Tom, age 17, had been out of school for one week, while her two younger children, Jeremy, 6, and Cleo, in pre-kindergarten, had been out of school for two weeks. The family had left Dustin Springs in a hurry without clothes, food or toiletries when a former boyfriend threatened this mother's life and she brought them to Austin to live with her sister in a one-bedroom apartment. Project HELP enrolled the children in school and provided them with the necessary school supplies and clothing.
George
George contacted Project HELP for assistance in paying for his high school band's annual trip. He and his mother are homeless and could not afford the trip for him. Project HELP was able to refer George to generous people who donated the money for George to go on the band trip.