CCH talks to veto-session legislators about youth homelessness

CCH's Ed Shurna, State Rep.-Elect Carol Ammons (Urbana) and State Rep. Chris Welch — CCH’s Ed Shurna, State Rep.-Elect Carol Ammons (Urbana) and State Rep. Chris Welch (Hillside)

State Rep.-Elect Will Guzzardi (Chicago), center, with Maria Rivera and Patricia Scott of The Homestretch — State Rep.-Elect Will Guzzardi (Chicago), center, with Maria Rivera and Patricia Scott of *The Homestretch*

More than 50 guests, including 12 legislators, participated in a Springfield reception about youth homelessness, hosted by CCH staff and leaders Wednesday.

The evening featured a 15-minute clip from the new Chicago-based documentary The Homestretch, followed by a panel that included teens who have been homeless and educators who work with homeless students.

“We have to take care of our young men and women,” said State Senator Iris Martinez. “It is frustrating when you look at these numbers and know that so many of our children are homeless.”

“It’s hard being homeless in school. It’s like we have to hide ourselves,” said Kaleyah Wesley, a high school freshman who works with the CCH Speakers Bureau. Kaleyah, 16, was tearful about the pressures of experiencing homelessness while going to school.

Among the panelists was Maria Rivera, a Chicago Public Schools teacher who appears throughout the documentary. Raised

homeless students to live with her family. Ms. Rivera said she believes many homeless students remain unidentified by their schools.

All of the panelists challenged the audience to be active and engage with homeless people.

“Help others. Volunteer at homeless shelters,” suggested Tia Carter, a Tilden high school senior who has experienced homelessness.

“We need funding, we need more funding,” said Patricia Scott, who also appears in the film, working as a homeless liaison at Chicago’s Prosser high school.

Many thanks to the legislators who took time to learn more about youth homelessness in Illinois: Rep.-Elect Carol Ammons (D-Urbana), Rep. Jaime M. Andrade Jr. (D-Chicago), Rep. John D. Anthony (R-Plainfield), Rep. John E. Bradley (D-Marion), Rep. Mary E. Flowers (D-Chicago), Rep.-Elect Terri Bryant (R-Murphysboro), Rep.-Elect Will Guzzardi (D-Chicago), Rep. Elizabeth Hernandez (D-Cicero), Rep. Emmanuel “Chris” Welch (D-Hillside), Rep. Kathleen Willis (D-Addison), Sen. Iris Y. Martinez (D-Chicago), and Rep. Linda Chapa LaVia (D-Aurora).

On Thursday, 133 students and homeless leaders traveled to Springfield with CCH. They talked to 44 legislators in brief one-on-one meetings about the importance of funding programs that serve homeless students and unaccompanied youth.