TRAVERSE CITY — Students experiencing homelessness in Northern Michigan’s largest school district can look to their teachers and other staff for help.
Traverse City Area Public Schools and Child & Family Services of Northwestern Michigan both have resources for at-risk students who may be struggling with no place to live.
TCAPS said more than 4% of their students struggle with homelessness, higher than the state average of 2.3%. But with help from the community and federal funding, no student should be without the same education and resources as others.
“That includes back to school supplies, clothing, shoes, basic hygiene items. Last week we ran a pop-up shop. It ran for two days. Families were able to make an appointment and come in and shop. Everything was free,” said Katie Kubesh, Student Support Network coordinator for TCAPS.
Through this event, they were able to serve more than 180 students. Another way TCAPS helps student in need is through pre-enrollment.
“Many times, students that are in a transition period do not have important documents they need for enrollment. So we enroll them first so they’re safe in school,” said Kebush.
Getting an education and having support during the week is important, but what happens when the school day ends?
“It affects them in all aspects of their life. If you don’t have that security of, ‘Where am I going to be tonight?’, how can you focus on anything else? You really need to address your basic needs before you’re able to do anything higher,” said Kirsten Mead, Basic Center Program supervisor at Child & Family Services.
Child & Family Services of Northwestern Michigan has three youth programs to help get on their feet or find a new home.
“One of them is our prevention program, which helps youth 12 to 20. They get hooked up with either a case manager or a counselor who is able to really address getting their basic needs met so that they’re able to focus on the things that they need to in their everyday lives,” said Mead.
And when students are able to focus on their work, they start to see their own success and believe in themselves.
“I love to see anyone succeed. Even small successes of, ‘I got a good grade on the test,’ to big successes of, ‘I got my own apartment’ – all of it is really cool to see. And to see them kind of change their mindset of, ‘I can’t do this,’ to, ‘Oh, I really can succeed in my life,’” said Mead.
Child & Family Services has an emergency hotline that students can use 24/7. Please call 231-922-4800 if you or someone you know is in need of help.