CLEVELAND — As families get ready for back to school, one of the most vulnerable groups of students is getting help. The staff at Laura’s Home is working nonstop to make sure the homeless students they serve are set up for success.
Katie Skizenta, a City Mission Youth Program Case Worker, says Laura’s Home is preparing for a very different school year.
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“Our kids are obviously at a huge disadvantage having housing instability. The lack of moms having consistent work or consistent childcare,” says Skizenta.
Laura’s Home is working with the Cleveland Metropolitan School District and received donations to make sure their dozens of students can read, learn, explore, and keep up with virtual school.
City Mission Chief Operating Officer Linda Uvegas says they gladly accepted donations to make sure the students have the support they need.
“We had to purchase laptops and headsets and hire extra staff so that we can make sure we have the right ratio with our kids to be able to give them the attention that they need,” says Uvegas.
CMSD CEO Eric Gordon says the school system specifically made sure homeless students don’t fall behind due to lack of access to resources.
“We’re not going to let your housing instability differentiate that. We have a support department, Project Act, that works directly with Laura’s Home and other homeless providers to make sure kids and families have what they need,” says Gordon.
When school starts and kids log on to their devices, they can expect a 1:9 teacher student ratio, while their moms are in training or at work. Students will also get extra support to ensure their academic success.
“So it’s hard for anyone to do online schooling much less some children that have all those additional problems of focusing or learning disability so we really needed that extra staff to help along with that,” says Skizenta.
“So what we’ve been able to do is say okay, let’s move with the school district, let’s work with them how can we make sure our children do not get left behind,” says Uvegas.
The extra school support is also meant to help the moms of these students. Staff tells 3News that when the mother secures a job and housing, making sure her child has a successful school routine is part of the entire families’ future success.
To learn more about Laura’s Home click here: https://www.thecitymission.org/lauras-home/