The Law Project helps students facing any back-to-school issues

Students have headed back to school — and students without housing have special rights to school enrollment, transportation and fee waivers.

Free legal aid is available from the Law Project at the Chicago Coalition for the Homeless for homeless students who face any difficulties enrolling in school or accessing needed school services.

Parents or students can call CCH’s toll-free helpline, at (800) 940-1119. Calls are handled 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. on weekdays.

Eligible students include those who are:

  • sharing housing of others due to loss of housing, economic hardship or a similar reason
  • living in a shelter or transitional housing program
  • living in motels, hotels, trailer park or camping grounds due to lack of alternative adequate accommodations
  • living on the street, in a car or somewhere that people don’t usually live, or in substandard housing

Continue reading The Law Project helps students facing any back-to-school issues

Homelessness and motherhood

Photo of Marilyn and Taishi

Taishi Neuman and Marilyn Escoe talk about their experiences with homelessness and motherhood.

Though one might imagine only single adults experiencing homelessness, people living within families are half of Chicago’s homeless population.

Thank you to StorpCorps for the photo and recording.

If you would like to invite Taishi Neuman, Marilyn Escoe, or any members of the CCH Speakers Bureau to present their stories at your organization, school, or civic group, please contact jayme@chicagohomeless.org or fill out the on-line request form.

 

Chicago Public School layoffs hit homeless students

Chicago Public School layoffs of more than 500 teachers and 500 support staff will disproportionately impact homeless students. Last school year, CPS identified 18,831 homeless students, which was 4.8% of its total enrollment.

Homelessness often has significant negative impacts on students — academically, socially, and emotionally. Homeless students face greater barriers to enrollment, attendance, and success in school than their housed peers.  Continue reading Chicago Public School layoffs hit homeless students

A guide to enrolling homeless Chicago children in preschool

Last school year, 521 homeless students were enrolled in preschool programs run by the Chicago Public Schools (CPS). This was a 32% drop from the prior 2014-15 school year, when 766 homeless preschoolers were enrolled.

Chicago Coalition for the Homeless is working to make sure that homeless children are able to attend preschool. The guide below was created to assist families.

If a parent or her/his child is living in a shelter or other temporary living situation, the child can receive priority placement in preschool programs run by CPS or funded by the city of Chicago. Also, the child can be enrolled in preschool without proof of address, income, guardianship, or other documents.  Continue reading A guide to enrolling homeless Chicago children in preschool

Relationships

Gloria and Cassie

Gloria Davis talks to Crystal Sahler about relationships, how they are always changing, and how relationships can last a lifetime.

Thank you to StorpCorps for the photo and recording.

If you would like to invite Gloria Davis, Crystal Sahler or any of other members of the CCH Speakers Bureau to present at your organization, school, or civic group, please contact jayme@chicagohomeless.org or fill out the on-line request form.

The past, present, and future of the Speakers Bureau

We are happy to introduce Jayme Robinson as our new AmeriCorps VISTA organizer. A three-year member of our Speakers Bureau, Jayme now manages the program.

Jayme works with Associate Director of Organizing Hannah Willage, who launched the Speakers Bureau nine years ago. Hannah leads education organizing for our HomeWorks campaign, including an Education Committee of homeless parents and students.

The Speakers Bureau is staffed by 15 people passionate about education and advocacy, the most active homeless leaders at CCH. Talking to audiences about their own lives, they speak about issues related to school access, housing and jobs, and developing opportunities for people to get back on their feet. In FY16, the Speakers Bureau spoke at 85 events, reaching an audience of 4,696 people. More than 90% of our audience is made up of students from the city and suburbs.  Continue reading The past, present, and future of the Speakers Bureau

Leeanna talks about becoming a leader with CCH

Charles and Leeanna

Leeanna Majors shared with Charles Jenkins about her transformation into a leader with Chicago Coalition for the Homeless.  Thank you to StorpCorps for the photo and recording.

If you would like to invite Leeanna Majors, Charles Jenkins or any of other members of the CCH Speakers Bureau to present at your organization, school, or civic group, please contact hannah@chicagohomeless.org or fill out the on-line request form.

 

 

 

 

Governor Rauner signs a stopgap funding plan

CCH participated in a rally for a fully, funded budget on Thursday, June 30 at the Thompson Center in Chicago. black and white photoSimultaneously, the Illinois Legislature passed and Governor Rauner signed a stopgap funding plan. SB2047 authorizes spending for human services including programs serving homeless youth, families, and individuals for FY2016 and the first six months of FY2017.  Continue reading Governor Rauner signs a stopgap funding plan

Gov. Quinn includes $3 million in FY15 budget plan for homeless students

CCH applauds Gov. Quinn’s decision to include $3 million in his proposed FY15 education budget to provide tutoring, transportation, and support services for homeless children and teens to help them succeed in school.

This funding has not been included in the state budget since FY09, when grants were provided to 36 school districts throughout the state. Since that time, the number of homeless students has risen 109%, to a record 54,892 students last school year.  Continue reading Gov. Quinn includes $3 million in FY15 budget plan for homeless students

“Our Voices Make a Difference” – Speakers Bureau leaders gather for annual retreat

Our Speakers Bureau held its annual retreat at Evanston’s Sheil Catholic Center Tuesday evening.

Speakers Bureau Retreat 2013“This is the first retreat I’ve been to. I got a lot out of it,” said Lorenzo Rowell, a leader on the Speakers Bureau. “It kept me in tune, brought me back to what motivates me to be involved, and it’s fun.”

Led by 15 formerly homeless adults, the CCH Speakers Bureau reached 3,965 people at 85 venues – before school, civic and religious groups – during FY 2013. Bureau leaders also inspired 224 students from 17 core teams at high schools and colleges to get involved in advocating with CCH to curb, and one day, end homelessness.  Continue reading “Our Voices Make a Difference” – Speakers Bureau leaders gather for annual retreat