Number of Homeless Students Rising in Washtenaw County

In Washtenaw County, more than 700 youth (ages 0 to 21) are considered to be homeless—a figure which has skyrocketed, according to The Education Project for Homeless Youth.

The program, which is organized and run by the Washtenaw Intermediate School District, works to ensure students in homelessness and temporary living situations enroll, regularly attend and succeed in school.

"We have served close to 700 youth so far this year, and that number surpasses the total of homeless youth we served last year," said Peri Stone-Palmquist, program manager.

Stone-Palmquist said homeless youth include those whose families don't have a fixed, regular nighttime residence, such as those living in motels, in homeless shelters, with other families and in cars. So far this year, there are eight young people in Dexter who are homeless and working with The Education Project.  

"It's hard to find affordable housing in Dexter," Stone-Palmquist said. "People just don't have enough income between unemployment and underemployment."  

The Education Project works hard to keep kids in the same school district all year, even if they have temporarily relocated outside the district. Buses, cabs and vouchers to reimburse parents with cars for gasoline are all used to transport students to school.  

"If kids have to change schools during the year, they can fall behind four to six months," Stone-Palmquist said.   

She said that students who move around a lot often need help to process what's going on. Through The Education Project, homeless youth can meet with social workers as well as tutors. The Education Project works closely with the nonprofits SOS Community Services and the Ozone House in Ypsilanti and Ann Arbor, which help with crisis support and housing. In addition, homeless youth are also entitled to receive food, clothing, books, backpacks and other school supplies, most of which are kept in The Education Project's office in Scio Township.

"We had a family in (Wednesday) that didn't have any shoes to wear," Stone-Palmquist said. "We're seeing more families than ever before."  

Liz Aslin of Dexter, a family advocate who works with Stone-Palmquist, said due to the volume of cases, The Education Project has been focusing mostly on crisis support and has not been able to follow up with families who come through their doors.

Aslin said when she first started working for The Education Project, she was surprised to learn that Dexter had homeless youth.

"It still surprises many people in Dexter to know that there's homelessness," she said.

During the 2009-2010 school year, there were 15 homeless youth in Dexter.

Frank McMurray, assistant principal at , is the Dexter homeless liaison, which means he works with each department in the district, including teachers, counselors, social workers, administrators, food and nutrition, and transportation.  

"Often there is a real educational piece that is missing as to what it means to be homeless," McMurray said. "My main responsibility is as a point person for Dexter Community Schools' staff to guide students and their families to resources to gain awareness of the students' federal rights and the services that are available to them."  

Mill Creek raised $3,844.69 for The Education Project recently, and, along with other Dexter schools, donated hats, coats, mittens, jeans and books from students.

For more information about The Education Project, contact Stone-Palmquist at pstone@wash.k12.mi.us.