The Young and the Homeless

It's 16 degrees right now.

According to figures released by the New York City-based Homes for the Homeless, the average age of a homeless person is nine. It's estimated that, right here in Rochester, 22,000 children could be on the cusp of becoming homeless. That's two of every five children in the city.

There are many reasons why some kids and their families become homeless. A parent’s unexpected illness, a work layoff, or the inability to find and keep a job that pays a living wage. Or, it happens when women with children finally decide they must escape their living nightmare of domestic violence.

Ruth Nieboer, who is the Salvation Army’s director of social services shares that, too often, her staff has met some of these parents before… except the first time around, the parents were kids themselves. Seeing the ‘next’ generation come in for services is deeply disturbing.

I guess it doesn't really matter whether it's 16 degrees - or 85. When you don't have a home to go home to, and especially when you're a kid, it's just plain traumatic.

And, if you saw the Pursuit of Happyness, I'm sure you understand that having a strong parent can make all the difference. We invest $2 million each year into the Emergency Services Collaborative... it's eight agencies that help families in crisis... so that parents can get the support - and shelter - they need to get their lives back on track. So they don't have to ever be homeless again.

We're also investing another $9 million into programs that help kids find success. A few of those programs include shelter and help for teenagers who are homeless... kids who had to escape some pretty tough 'home' situations. The Center for Youth Services has a fantastic program.

Thanks for helping these kids... and these families. You're bringing stability back into their lives.

Flash Cards for Kindergarten?

My daughter is headed off to kindergarten this fall - so, lately I've been getting the 'save the dates' for new parent night, and learning when she'll get screened to determine whether she's ready for school.

I'll be the first to admit I'm nervous as to how she'll do. She was born a couple of months early, and by the time she was two (thanks to early intervention) she had speech therapy and occupational therapy. She's doing well, and she's as sassy as ever - but I'm still nervous.

I learned, in Monroe County, nearly half of our kids arrive at kindergarten with at least one issue that puts them at risk for academic failure. That surprised me. It seems high, but it's correct.

So, as a parent, I started wondering - should I pull out the preschool flash cards to get my daughter moving? Should I stop letting her watch too many episodes of Wonder Pets? Is spending too much time with Barbie and Polly dangerous?

If you're reading this - and you're a teacher - please write in and share your thoughts... in the meantime, though, I wanted to share a little bit about a program in Rochester that makes me, as a parent, feel relief.

United Way is a big supporter of Strong Start - which is currently in two schools right now, and will begin at a third school next year. Essentially, kids who are screened for kindergarten, and considered at-risk for academic failure will get help from Strong Start teachers the following year.

By the time kids 'graduate' from the program, nine out of every ten test at or even above average. Color and shape recognitions are strong, social interaction is improved.

It makes a huge difference. I visited the School #12 classroom - it's fantastic. I'm so glad to know programs like this are out there for kids and for their parents.

I decided, for now, since my daughter can correct me about what colors Barbie is wearing - and she can tell me the difference between a poisonous snake or a non-poisonous one because someone on Zoboomafoo told her so - I'm not going to overreact and go into study mode with her. I'll let it be... a program will be there to help us if we need it.

Fun story

I wanted, quickly, to tell you about Anna Mitchell. She's the young lady in front, wearing the purple sweater.

Anna's a sixth grader, lives in Marion, and every year she and her friends get together to make gifts - so they can raise money for United Way through their "Helping Hands Auction."

Anna and her friends worked for months on those gifts - which even included furniture they made!

All told, they raised $750... which is very cool. And, it shows that it doesn't matter how old you are - you can always make a difference.

Doesn't matter either, whether it's financial support - or the gift of time. If one of your New Year's Resolutions is to volunteer - we have some great ways you can volunteer in our community. All you have to do is click here...