At its inception several years ago, CapCityKids initiated a collaboration with Project HELP (Homeless Education and Learning Program), a program of the Austin Independent School District that specifically addresses the needs of homeless students in the district. CapCityKids focus was to provide and fund new programs focused on continuing to research and obtain key information to ensure more effective focus and services to Homeless children. Below is a letter from the AISD homeless liaison Cathy Requejo.

AISD PROJECT HELP LETTER

February 13, 2009

Dear CapCityKids:

I can unequivocably affirm that CapCityKids’ activities have a significant impact on Austin ISD children and youth experiencing homelessness. If it were not for the support CapCityKids provides, the basic needs and,most importantly, supplemental academic support needed by many homeless students of all ages and grade levels would go unmet.

CapCityKids’ funding for school year 2007-08 and the current year of 2008-09 allowed AISD to provide much needed support to students through the following funded positions:

School to Community Liaison (SCL) who provides support to high school students experiencing homelessness and lacking parent or legal guardian to assist them.

Elementary teacher at Mathew’s Elementary (1/2 time) who ensures supplemental academic support and assessment for students from several Austin emergency shelters.

Three Certified Teacher Tutors who provide academic support to students in the Austin SafePlace Shelter, which serves families experiencing domestic violence.

CapCityKids funding also provides clothing, food, bus passes, and school activity fees, summer school opportunities and other unique but critical support. I can’t emphasize enough that many homeless students’ needs would go unmet if it were not for CapCityKids support. Tangible benefits are evident on a daily basis:

When middle school student “Mike” walked in our office and had only flip flops to wear, we were able to provide tennis shoes contributed by CapCityKids.

When “Martha and John” and their 5 children showed at 5 p.m. on a Friday seeking shelter and food, we were able to provide them with a Walmart card from CapCityKids funding, along with shelter information.

When “Sarah” needed funds to pay for summer school in order to stay on track with graduation, the funding provided by CapCityKids offered her the opportunity to pay for the class.

There is not doubt that CapCityKids’ assistance has tangible results in promoting the educational success of AISD homeless students. The students are able to attend, catch up and engage more effectively as a direct result of CapCityKids’ contributions. The bus passes allow the families/students access to appropriate transportation when no other mode of transportation exists for school. The tutors are able to do immediate assessment and supplemental activities to ensure the student understands their previous and current work. The clothing and school fees allow the students the opportunity to engage in the classroom and on campus, reducing the common obstacles homeless students feel about being “behind” “left out” or otherwise stigmatized. These positive opportunities provide hope and motivation to the students to participate more effectively, and increase their sense of confidence that they need to overcome the significant obstacles they face.

In addition, the partnership between CapCityKids and AISD enhances the direct benefits available to the students by utilizing existing overhead of the school district. In this manner, all of the grant and support of CapCityKids goes directly to the students. This is a unique relationship which has been invaluable in increasing AISD’s outreach to the homeless children.

Cathyleen Requejo
Project Help – Student Support Services
Austin ISD