Homeless Children's Education Fund

About Homeless Children's Education Fund

In Allegheny County, The Average Age Of A Homeless Student Is 8 Years, A Time When The Most Critical And Fundamental Skills In Literacy And Mathematics Are Introduced In School. It Is Unfortunate, Yet Unsurprising That Homeless Youth Represent The Most At-Risk And Vulnerable Population Of Students Likely To Experience School Drop-Out, Delinquency And Truancy. Our Children Are Vicitims And Witnesses Of Domestic Violence, Drug And Alcohol Abuse, Evictions, Fire And Extreme Poverty. Guardians, Typically Single Mothers, Are Consumed With Finding Permanent Housing, Transportation, Public Assistance And Employment While Residing In The Shelter. Traditionally, The Educational Needs Of These Children Fall By The Way-Side To More Immediate, Basic Needs. This Results In The Child Quickly Losing Focus In School And Developing Serious Deficiencies In Fundamental Skills That May Have A Life-Long Impact. Without Structured Intervention These Children Struggle Through School Far Behind The Progress Of Their Classmates. And Yet, Children Are Resilient. Hcef Has Witnessed This Resiliency In All Of Its Programs From Summer Art-Based Programs To High Usage Rates On Digital Library Software Programs. There Is A Need To Provide Structured High Impact Programs That Build Self-Esteem, Create A Positive Link To Education And Celebrate Each Child's Progress.