HOMELESS STUDENTS
There were nearly 40,000 homeless students enrolled in school in Washington State in 2016 according to the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction. This represents a 90% increase in seven years. Homeless students are defined as children and youths who lack a fixed, adequate, nighttime residence suitable for human beings. These are kids who couch surf with friends, live in motels, campgrounds, cars, parks, abandoned buildings, bus or train stations and emergency shelters.
The Peninsula School District, which serves Gig Harbor, has identified 149 homeless students of various ages enrolled in school. Peninsula School district does not count students who are couch surfing as homeless, therefore the number of homeless students in Gig Harbor is greater than reported numbers.
Homeless students are difficult to recognize because, like most kids their age, they want to fit in and look like everyone else. They look like any other student and go largely unnoticed. One can imagine the difficulty a student must have attempting to appear like nothing is wrong when she or he has no place to live, store their clothes or study
Homeless students’ grades usually suffer and they often end up dropping out. They are at increased risk of many other social ills. At that awkward age when kids are most vulnerable, lack of a place to call home is often a devastating blow.
HOST HOME
Learn about our Host Home Program and how you can help provide a safe and stable environment for at-risk homeless youth to learn and thrive.
MENTORING
Our mentorship program focuses on helping students and parents develop key life skills allowing them to become self-sufficient and thrive after graduation.
TRANSPORTATION
To help homeless students maintain their daily commitments, our volunteers provide rides to school, appointments, and activities.
CLOTHING
For many of these children, buying clothing is a financial burden. We provide clean, wearable clothing to make student success more likely.
FOOD
Aiming to work collaboratively with other not-for-profit organizations, our food program is designed to fill social service gaps and end hunger in our community.
CHANGE A LIFE TODAY
It is our mission to ensure that no neighbor is left with unmet needs. Your contribution to Harbor Hope Center helps to support our efforts in improving the lives of homeless youth in our community.