More than 1,500 homeless students living in Seminole County served by the Families in Transition (FIT) program are continuing to receive an added boost with the recent airing of their plight on national television. Beth Davalos, FIT’s Liaison says, the recent care and concern since the 60 Minutes show, which portrayed a subset of these kids has been tremendous.
“The outpouring of concern and support that we have been receiving has been truly overwhelming,” said Beth Davalos, in a statement.
Established in 2003, FIT has been helping families caught in the tragic position of being homeless and almost 7,000 homeless students have been identified and served by the program, said Davalos.
FIT serves students who ““lack a fixed, regular and adequate residence; or have a primary nighttime residence that is temporary in nature; or is a place not designed or used ordinarily as a regular sleeping accommodation for human beings,” according to the group’s website. A liaison is identified who in turn works with the district’s elementary and secondary schools, as well as, the community, agencies and shelters to identify homeless families with school-age children. Once these students are identified they and their families receive assistance with enrollment procedures, transportation to their school of origin, school supplies, free breakfast and lunch, tutoring if needed, and referrals to local service agencies for additional services if necessary. Additional services are also offered through grant funding.
To donate directly to this program click here:
http://www.scps.k12.fl.us/title1/Home/FamiliesinTransition.aspx
Davalos said, donated funds go directly to the homeless students and families to meet their basic needs, which maybe food, school supplies, hygiene kits, clothing, shoes, as well as assistance to for their basic housing needs like electricity or temporary rental assistance. The website also provides information on how FIT works to ensure that the children are successful in school, despite their housing crisis.
Davalos also explained that, over the past several years, FIT has developed a list of ideas that can has a powerful impact on these families. “50 Ways Our Community Can Help” provides in-depth ways that you can help. Click here to see: http://www.scps.k12.fl.us/Portals/34/assets/pdf/50_Ways.pdf
About one in 50 children or 1.5 million experience homelessness in America each year.
