My Turn: New face of homelessness

By Rasheena Greer

Many people think being homeless is living on the streets, asking people for money, or even being dirty. In these difficult economic times, I want to introduce you to the new look of homelessness, where it's not about being without a home, but about getting help when your guardians can't provide for you while you are attending school.

I attend New Millennium School of Health on Chicago's South Side. My mother has been struggling during my entire three years of high school. I applied for "The Homeless Program" when things became too difficult and I was required to move in with my grandmother.

I am not without a home.

In my first year of high school, my mom had a job and I was living my life. While living with my mother, I encountered problems that took control of my life. I had to move in with my grandmother who no longer provided for my school needs. I talked to my counselor and she told me about the federal homeless program. For the last two years, the homeless program has helped me accomplish my goals and pay for items that I couldn't afford.

The program is open to students who don’t stay at home with a guardian or parent, or for students whose guardian can no longer adequately provide for them. Participating students have to come to school on time and earn good grades; in other words, be ready to get an education. The program helps students to stay focused on school and not on their financial needs. A student's success in school is linked to the home environment, said Mary Ellen Carson, commissioner of the Chicago Department of Family and Support Services. Carson made the comment last spring while announcing a $3 million initiative to aid homeless students.

By the end of the 2008 school year, 10,642 Chicago Public Schools students were expected to be reported as homeless, according to the Chicago Tribune. “It is the district's responsibility to identify them… . Because the families may not see themselves as homeless,” Predonna Roberts of the Suburban Cook County Regional Office of Education, told the Tribune.

In spite of the difficulties, the school systems work with families to find a way to get help. Some families are eligible even if they double up with other families. The schools main focus is to keep students in school regardless of their financial needs. The federal Mckinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act seeks to identify homeless students and offer assistance such as acquiring clothing, school supplies and transportation.

As a student and child enrolled in a homeless program, I am proud to say that I encourage students and families going through hard times trying to provide for their children to call and fill out an application for the homeless program. The program provides bus cards for students and waives school fees for activities. Students don’t have to worry about other students and people knowing or having any knowledge about them being in the homeless program, because it is kept confidential.

I am Rasheena Greer, a student in need -- not someone they will call homeless.