CITY OF GRESHAM HELPS HOMELESS STUDENTS GET A SECOND HOME
News Release from City of Gresham
Posted on FlashAlert: April 8th, 2015 11:03 AM
GRESHAM, Ore. - The City of Gresham is partnering with Ecumenical Ministries of Oregon and the Gresham-Barlow School District to give homeless teens a second chance - and an open door - to earn a high school diploma.
The City has brought to Gresham a nonprofit program called Second Home, which helps high school students without a home, or involved parents, find temporary, stable housing with volunteer home providers.
Tera Cleland, who oversees East Metro Mediation, a City program, championed Second Home and led efforts to bring it to Gresham. Beaverton is the only other Oregon city to feature this service for homeless teens; Lincoln County plans to launch a Second Home program before the end of the school year.
"These are good kids in a tough situation, whatever it may be, but they want to finish school," Cleland said. "This collaboration is key because we can help them achieve their goal - and help raise awareness and action around youth homelessness."
The Gresham-Barlow School District has a total of 287 students, so far, who are eligible for federal unstable housing resource assistance for the 2014-2015 school year. Of the 287 students, 59 are identified as unaccompanied homeless youth.
In Beaverton, during the 2013-2014 school year, Second Home served 12 students, providing them with 70 months of housing and 6,000 meals. That year, six seniors graduated, another earned his GED and others are still in school - a 92% success rate. Since the program began in Beaverton in 2010, it has provided housing for 32 students.
"We're excited to see the program expand into Gresham with such community support," said Jennifer Pratt, Second Home project manager.
Gresham is now recruiting volunteer home providers.
Providers must be 18 or older and able to provide a bed and meals. Everyone - including the high school student - must pass a background check. Together, providers and students work with mediators to draw up a contract aimed at forging a successful relationship.
Gresham-Barlow School District Federal Programs Director April Olson said the program makes educational sense. "When a student has their basic needs met, and someone who supports them," Olson said, "it can make all the difference."
To learn more about becoming a Gresham home provider, contact Cleland at 503-618-2684 or Tera.Cleland@GreshamOregon.gov.
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The City has brought to Gresham a nonprofit program called Second Home, which helps high school students without a home, or involved parents, find temporary, stable housing with volunteer home providers.
Tera Cleland, who oversees East Metro Mediation, a City program, championed Second Home and led efforts to bring it to Gresham. Beaverton is the only other Oregon city to feature this service for homeless teens; Lincoln County plans to launch a Second Home program before the end of the school year.
"These are good kids in a tough situation, whatever it may be, but they want to finish school," Cleland said. "This collaboration is key because we can help them achieve their goal - and help raise awareness and action around youth homelessness."
The Gresham-Barlow School District has a total of 287 students, so far, who are eligible for federal unstable housing resource assistance for the 2014-2015 school year. Of the 287 students, 59 are identified as unaccompanied homeless youth.
In Beaverton, during the 2013-2014 school year, Second Home served 12 students, providing them with 70 months of housing and 6,000 meals. That year, six seniors graduated, another earned his GED and others are still in school - a 92% success rate. Since the program began in Beaverton in 2010, it has provided housing for 32 students.
"We're excited to see the program expand into Gresham with such community support," said Jennifer Pratt, Second Home project manager.
Gresham is now recruiting volunteer home providers.
Providers must be 18 or older and able to provide a bed and meals. Everyone - including the high school student - must pass a background check. Together, providers and students work with mediators to draw up a contract aimed at forging a successful relationship.
Gresham-Barlow School District Federal Programs Director April Olson said the program makes educational sense. "When a student has their basic needs met, and someone who supports them," Olson said, "it can make all the difference."
To learn more about becoming a Gresham home provider, contact Cleland at 503-618-2684 or Tera.Cleland@GreshamOregon.gov.
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