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Homelessness is when individuals lack fixed, regular, and stable housing. For students, homelessness is a negative factor that affects achievement in the classroom. Please use the following resources to educate yourself about homelessness.
Here are some good books to read to your children to provide a better understanding of homelessness. Click on the book cover for a read-aloud version:
A Shelter in Our Car by Monica Gunning
Zettie and her mother move from Jamaica to the United States and have to live in their car. This story illustrates Zettie's mother's strength that carries them both through this particularly dire situation.
Fly Away Home by Eve Bunting
This book follows a boy and his father through their routine as they live in an airport. The story presents homelessness in a way that is not frightening or threatening for children.
Activities in the Classroom
To educate students on homelessness, read "A Shelter in Our Car" and then ask students if they know what the word "shelter" means. Brainstorm together why people need shelter (safety, bad weather, privacy, etc). Ask the students to make predictions about the book purely based on the cover art, then after reading it, ask if any predictions were correct. Then ask the children to imagine what Zettie's perfect house would be and draw their own version of the house. Discuss why some people may not have shelters and review what the students have learned about homelessness.
To educate students on homelessness, read "A Shelter in Our Car" and then ask students if they know what the word "shelter" means. Brainstorm together why people need shelter (safety, bad weather, privacy, etc). Ask the students to make predictions about the book purely based on the cover art, then after reading it, ask if any predictions were correct. Then ask the children to imagine what Zettie's perfect house would be and draw their own version of the house. Discuss why some people may not have shelters and review what the students have learned about homelessness.
Conversations about Homelessness
It is estimated that 2.5 million children are experiencing homelessness in the US, which means some of your child's classmates may be experiencing it. Here are some tips for talking to your children about homelessness:
Express your own feelings on homelessness
Remind children that being homeless doesn't make someone a bad person
Help your child understand that homelessness occurs for many different reasons
Ask you child to think about what homeless people may be feeling
Inspire your child to volunteer their time at a housing shelter or food pantry
Start a tradition of donating toys around the holidays to encourage charitable actions
Local Resources for Anyone Struggling with Homelessness
Emergency Shelter Resource https://www.lccm.us/emergency-shelter.html
Teens & Young Adult Services www.familypromiseofberks.org
Youth Shelter https://www.marysshelter.org/
Homeless Drop-In Center https://www.pa211.org/get-help/housing-shelter/homeless-drop-in-centers/?city_zip=17067
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