Suburban poverty and homelessness NPR interveiw!!

[Kyoko]

http://wesa.fm/post/challenges-suburban-homelessness-and-education

I wrote a blog sometime ago ( I guess in June ) in regard to students who graduated despite of significant difficulties they faced from my school district. One of them recently received resiliency award here in Pittsburgh, also recieved National Scholarship for students experiencing homelessness. There were 15 students nation wide who receved this award, and my student was the very first one to recieve this scholarship in state of PA.

We were interviewed with local NPR at this sumitt addressing subueban poverty and homelessness.

It may be mind boggling to you to know how many kids are experiencing homelessness.....

[Nicky, Riley & Boris]

I remember that blog you wrote in June . You should be so proud of yourself right now. Supporting students in such dire straits who are trying to climb onto the ladder and make something of themselves is so worthy. Thank you for posting this.

[Kyoko]

Over the summer, Mr. Lagana had sent me this book written by this researcher Elizabeth Kneebone, and told me to read this by end of the summer. It was very dry and was very difficult, thinking "Why do I have to read this...?"I nly read it out of respect for him... never thought it would result in being a part of this huge summit.

 

Thank you, and I am greatful to know you all as well.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Joanne said it best, Kyoko. You are a good person, and I am very glad to know you. Thank you for all you do to help others, both two legged and four. 

[Kyoko]

Thank you, all.. I am just so proud of Kevin, my student!! Since he was invited to go to Georgia to recieve the Le Tendre Scholarship at the big National Association for the Education of Homeless Chilrden and Youth event,( All expences paid ), he managed to set up an interview with Morehouse College there while he was in GA, as well. He is such a proactive kid!! I hope he gets in.

I think they said that CA has highest rate of homeless children and youth....

I am already up to about 50 homeless kids this year. This year, our neighboring town's church offered about 20 book bags with school suppies in them!! They were awesome. Also another neighboring town's school is offering 10 Thanksgiving dinner package!! On Monday, my car will be packed with frozen turkey!! Gobbl gobble!!

[DJ & Chance]

Kyoko, thanks so much for posting this. Almost every year at my university we discover students who have given their financial aid to their impoverished families and are living in a tent or old abandoned car.  These students are remarkable--still going to class, doing their work, earning good grades, etc.  They have the potential to transform our society.  We have established an emergency fund and food bank to assist them.

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

Kyoko, I do remember when you posted and I felt so proud of your student then.  Thank you for reminding us of this wonderful event and letting us know how truly special that student must be. 

[Camilla and Darwin]

Kyoko you are awesome! And thank you for posting this - it is mind boggling, and truly sad to think about the amount of people dealing with this. I so respect you for what you do, it certainly is a reminder for all of us to be looking for ways that we can help, or do something.

[Lynda Kamrath]

Yes, Kyoko, I also remember your blog.  But now the weather is turning quite cold in your area.  We are a little luckier than PA in that we do not get freezing weather, but nevertheless there are people without food and shelter, many with medical problems, and some of them children.

[Lynda Kamrath]

Homelessness is a big issue here right now.  The small businesses downtown do not want homeless people in their neighborhoods (bad for business) and one business owner even beat up a homeless person.  A downtown church was giving food and clothing to the homeless and the business owners went after the church because it did not have a food service license.  The homeless camp in a garden area and twice have been all rounded up and their "stuff" put into the garbage trucks.  There are no bathrooms available for them, and they generally use the city library for their bathrooms.  But what about the hours the library is not open?  It is an on-going problem and one that will continue until something is done to provide for these homeless people.  Children live with their parents parked in cars on the streets.  School is their only out.  City parks lock up their bathrooms, if they even have them, so the homeless cannot use them.  What to do?  I take jackets and blankets down to the soup kitchen whenever I have them available and my mother wants to know why I drive into that section of town.

[F, Calla & Luca]

It is very sad to think of anyone without food and shelter. You are good to remind us of what needs to be done.