Homeless Awareness Week

Homeless Awareness Week 2025

November 17-21, 2025

Pennsylvania's ECYEH Awareness Week highlights the importance of the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act, which ensures that homeless children and youth in Pennsylvania receive the education they need to build stable futures.

Schools and programs statewide will be hosting events to support homeless students and their families. Educators, community members, and leaders are encouraged to participate to gain a deeper understanding of the vital impact you make and the ongoing resources needed to support these students.

Join us to raise awareness and show support!

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Five sample key facts and social media posts for ECYEH Awareness Week

Over 50,000 children and youth experiencing homelessness were identified in PA during the 2023-24 school year. #IWillBeYourVoice #LetsHaveAConversation #ECYEHAwareness #Homelessness
86% of identified children and youth experiencing homelessness in PA were enrolled in school in 2023-24. School is a lifeline for housing insecure students. #IWillBeYourVoice #LetsHaveAConversation #Homelessness #ECYEHAwareness
Students experiencing homelessness can face barriers to school enrollment and participation in school. We are committed to identifying, breaking down, and eliminating barriers to ensure equity for students. #IWillBeYourVoice #LetsHaveAConversation #Homelessness #ECYEHAwareness
Nearly 80% of students experiencing homelessness in PA remained in their school of origin, providing crucial stability. School stability matters for housing insecure students. #IWillBeYourVoice #ECYEHAwareness #Homelessness #ECYEHAwareness
Students experiencing homelessness graduate at a lower rate than their housed peers. We are committed to supporting youth experiencing homelessness on their path to on-time graduation, despite the challenges they face. #IWillBeYourVoice #ECYEHAwareness #LetsHaveAConversation #Homelessness #ECYEHAwareness

Turn your school, community programs, and social media red to raise awareness for Education for Children and Youth Experiencing Homelessness on Friday, November 21!

Gather your friends and family for a group photo, or take an awesome selfie! Share your photos, selfies, and videos on social media and use the hashtags:

#IWillBeYourVoice
#ECYEHAwareness
#RedshirtdayPA

Host a Donation Drive

Need some ideas?? Try these!

Support your local food pantries, gather donations for the local homeless or victim services shelters, or stock your own comfort closet for your students.
Stuff a bus during the holiday season to collect things like turkey, ham, potatoes, vegetables and more for holiday meals!
Work with a local agency who does a free formal dress event and help students access dresses, shoes, jewelry and more for those formal dances.
Collect gift cards as part of your donation drive to help families access emergency food or to support students and families transporting themselves to school.
Host a "Sock-tober" event and collect socks from students to distribute to those in need
Collect school supplies to distribute to students experiencing homelessness
Work with the regional office to have students create fleece blankets - email ECYEH6@iu28.org if you're interested. We have some fleece!
Have a volleyball or dodgeball tournament and use the registration fee to create a fund for students to help with purchasing items for the unhoused

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