Youth Homelessness & The Role We All Play
Trauma Informed Insights is a growing collection of important ideas and stories from leaders making an impact in Douglas County. Creating Community Resilience seeks to increase local shared knowledge related to adverse childhood conditions and adverse community environs. Today's post helps us all prepare for this November's recognition of National Homeless Youth Awareness Month.
Student homelessness is often hidden in our rural communities. Families can lose their housing for many reasons, including job loss, rising housing costs, family emergencies, or leaving unsafe situations. It may look like a family living in a camper without adequate utilities, staying with friends or relatives, or moving from place to place. For a young person living without a parent or guardian, it might mean sleeping on a friend's couch, moving between homes, or working while trying to finish high school. These are students in our schools every day, often facing challenges we cannot see.
In my more than 10 years of working with students and families experiencing homelessness, I've learned that having a safe, stable place to live is one of the most important things a young person needs to thrive. This is especially true for youth living on their own. Our communities need more safe and affordable housing options so these young people have a place to call home.
We also know that homelessness has a serious impact on education. National data show that nearly half of students experiencing homelessness are chronically absent, and their graduation rates are also much lower than those of students with stable housing. Education is one of the most powerful pathways toward breaking the cycle of poverty and homelessness.
The federal McKinney-Vento Act helps protect the educational rights of students experiencing homelessness, including the right to enroll in school and receive support to stay connected to their education. But laws alone cannot remove every barrier a student faces.
One of the most important things I've learned is that we don't have to wait until we solve the housing crisis to make a meaningful difference in a student's life. While we work toward housing solutions, we can help students stay in school by addressing needs like transportation, food, clothing, school supplies, and access to technology. Sometimes, having one caring adult who listens, encourages them, and helps them find support can make a lasting difference.
We also need to do a better job of bringing our community resources together. It's not enough for services to exist if families and young people don't know about them or can't access them. Strong relationships between schools, community organizations, businesses, and service providers can make getting help easier. It's not just about handing someone a list of resources. It's about building trust, making connections, and helping people access the support they need.
My challenge to our community is simple: We all have a role to play. Learn what student homelessness looks like, support organizations working with youth and families, and talk with local and state leaders about the need for safe housing and stronger educational and community support. Look for ways to build partnerships and connect resources so families don't have to navigate these challenges alone.
We may not be able to solve homelessness overnight, but together we can remove barriers, create opportunities, and help young people stay connected to their education while working toward a more stable future.
Because where a student sleeps tonight should not determine what they can achieve tomorrow.
About the Author:
Andrea Shaver is the founder of BloomBridge Solutions LLC, where she helps school districts build collaborative teams and sustainable systems to better support students experiencing homelessness. With more than 25 years in human services and over a decade in public education, she is passionate about removing barriers and strengthening connections between schools, families, and communities.
A Douglas County native raising her family in the community, Andrea understands the unique challenges facing rural families. A lifelong learner, she values the opportunity to work alongside dedicated school teams, helping build solutions that continue to thrive long after her involvement ends.
Andrea holds a Bachelor of Education in Family and Human Services from the University of Oregon and a Master of Science in Education from Southern Oregon University.
