Despite an improving economy, the number of students in public schools in both Kenosha and Racine who are classified as homeless has been slow to come down.
In Kenosha last year, about 2.3% of the district’s total enrollment of about 21,000 students, at one time or another during the school year, were homeless per a federal definition. In Racine Unified, with its enrollment of nearly 19,000 students, the number was twice as high. Both districts say they're on track to match or come close to matching those numbers this year.
Kaylee Cutler, Racine Unified's homeless student liaison, calls it an invisible problem. "When you think of homelessness, you think of families living in the street or living in their car but that's not always the case," Cutler says. "The majority of my families are doubled up. They're sleeping on couches and floors. Houses of course are way better than having to be on the street. However, even when you're sleeping on a couch it's hard to get a good night's sleep or even to have a space to do your homework or do the things you need to do to be successful."
While homeless student data remains high, Cutler says there's a positive in that it seems down and out parents are finding employment and shelter more quickly than they did in the past.
Cutler’s counter-part in Kenosha, Janel Semon, says needs remain high in Kenosha Unified. "It's very sad," she said. "A lot of families remain homeless year after year. They can't get ahead. Finding a full-time job that's going to be able to provide for your family is extremely difficult."
When working with homeless and low-income students, teachers, social workers and other staff need to present a hopeful, can-do picture, Cutler says. "We need to make sure that we teach the children that they are able to become successful and get higher paying positions. We have to start with showing kids that there is more."
Both districts receive grant money to provide special assistance to students who are either couch-surfing or live in shelters. That includes free school supplies, lunches and bus passes. In addition, student fees are waived. School social workers try to keep an extra eye on students that may be going through problems at home.
Incoming Racine Mayor Cory Mason says fighting poverty is the best was that the city can help the school district. In a recent Community Matters interview, Mason said: "If you're coming to school not knowing where you're going to sleep that night or not knowing what the status is of your home--that has an impact on a kid's ability to learn. If kids are coming to school hungry or not properly clothed or their parents are dealing with real issues...those are things that the city can address."
How can you help? For one thing, Cutler says donations of food and clothes to homeless shelters are always welcome. Many schools will take in clothes donations in kid sizes. Horlick High School, for instance, has dedicated a small room to store clothes.
Racine Unified ended the last school year with 1,057 students having been considered homeless at one time or another while Kenosha Unified's number was 495.
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