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National Homeless Youth Awareness Month
Toolkit for School Staff
and Community Partners
November 2015
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National Homeless Youth Awareness Month
November 2015
Information Sheet for PSA Counselors
and Community Partners
Statistics
Homeless youth face many challenges in their education. According to the 2013
Greater Los Angeles Homeless Count 1 in 45 children experience homelessness
each year. Homeless students are 8 times more likely to be asked to repeat a
grade.1 In addition, homeless families move two to three times during a school
year which in turn causes homeless students to set back academically an average
of four to six months.2 As a result of the effects of homelessness on education
and the increase in homelessness among youth, The Homeless Education Program
has developed this toolkit to provide the history of National Homeless Youth
Awareness Month and goal of the resolution.
HistoryOn July 11, 2007 The United States Congress established November as National
Homeless Youth Awareness Month. Since then, the resolution has been adopted
by many national organizations and school districts across the country. Last year,
the Los Angeles Unified School District Board of Education in collaboration with the
Homeless Education Program passed their own resolution which will coincide with
national events.
GoalThe resolution was written to highlight the issue of homeless youth within Los
Angeles Unified School District. During the 2013-2014 school year, LAUSD hadapproximately 13,606 students identified as homeless. The goal of the National
Homeless Youth Aware-ness Month is to encourage discussion among students,
parents, district employees and community members . This toolkit contains ideas
and activities which will help to bring awareness to the topic of homeless youth.
1 The National Center on Family Homelessness. America’s Youngest Outcasts 2010
2 Dr. Joy Rogers of the Loyola University Department of Education, Education Report of Rule 706 Expert Panel
presented in B.H. v. Johnson, 715 F.
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National Homeless Youth Awareness Month
Activities for the Month of November
School Staff
Essay Contest
During the first week of November send out a MEMO to classroom teachers informing them of the
essay contest, deadline and prizes, if any. Make sure to include an essay prompt; for
example, What change would you make to homeless services in LA County if you were in
Congress? Remember to display posters/flyers around campus.
Poster Contest
Display posters informing students there will be a poster contest the last week of November
during lunch. Have different categories; Most Creative, Most Inspiring and Social Impact.
Display all entires during lunch and have students cast their ballot for the winners.
Write letters in support of current or more services for Homeless Youth
Invite students to join you in the school auditorium after school to write letters in support of more
homeless services.
Wear purple during the month of November
In the weekly announcement, ask students and staff to support National Homeless Youth
Awareness Month by wearing purple in November.
Participate in the United Way Homewalk on November 21, 2015
Make a sign up sheet outside of your office for students and staff members to join you for the
United Way Homewalk to bring awareness to homeless youth.
Fundraiser for LAUSD Homeless Education Program or other homeless
service providers
Organize a drive for school supplies or hygiene kits. Look at the Homeless Education Program
wish list for ideas!
*Remember to first get the approval of your school administrator*
Have Fun!
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Community Partners
Fundraiser for LAUSD Homeless Education Program or other homeless service providers
Organize a drive to collect school supplies and/or hygiene items. Take a look at the Homeless
Education Program wish list for ideas!
Wear purple one day in November
During a staff meeting ask coworkers to wear purple one day in November.
Organize a team to participate in The United Way Homewalk on November 21, 2015During a staff meeting announce The United Way Homewalk and join the LAUSD team.
Display the LAUSD National Homeless Youth Flyer
Once you receive permission from your supervisor, print the LAUSD National Homeless Youth
Poster found in this toolkit and display around your office.
Organize a food drive to donate to your local food bank or food pantry Make
posters and announce in a staff meeting that there will be a food drive during the month of
November. Log on to www.lafoodbank.org to locate your nearest food pantry/bank to arrange
for delivery of nonperishable items.
Organize a group of co-workers to sponsor a family or graduate through the LAUSD Homeless Education Program
Get a team together and visit the Homeless Education website for more information on
how to get started.
*Be Creative and Have Fun!*
National Homeless Youth Awareness Month
Activities for the Month of November
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Links to Additional Tools and Materials
National Homeless Youth Awareness Month Resolutions
National Homelessness Youth Awareness – Congress Resolution
LAUSD Board of Education– Resolution
LAUSD, Homeless Education Program
Homeless Education Program Description
2014 Homeless Data for LAUSD
LAUSD Homeless Student Fact Sheet
The Homeless Education Program
Latest Homeless Data for LA County
2013 Greater Los Angeles Homeless Count-Overall Results for LA County and LA Continuum of Care
2013 Greater Los Angeles Homeless Count-Key Findings for Service Planning and Supervisorial Districts
Activities
NAEH Fact Sheet and Activities for K-2 Grade Students
NAEH Fact Sheet and Activities for 3-5 Grade Students
NAEH Fact Sheet and Activities for Middle School Students
NAEH Fact Sheet and Activities for High School Students
Homeless Education Program Homewalk Team
Follow this link to access a “Reading Rainbow” video on discussing the many challenges homeless
students face: http://vimeo.com/6358300
National Association for the Education of Homeless Children and Youth
LGBTQ Information
Hollywood Homeless Youth Partnership
Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority