Posted: | November 8, 2017 04:23 PM |
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From: | Representative Donna Bullock |
To: | All House members |
Subject: | Resolution designating the week of November 13 through November 17, 2017 as “Pennsylvania Education for Youth Experiencing Homelessness Awareness Week” and November 17, 2017 as “Red Shirt Day” in Pennsylvania. |
In the coming days, I plan to introduce a Resolution designating the week of November 13 through November 17, 2017 as “Pennsylvania Education for Youth Experiencing Homelessness Awareness Week” and November 17, 2017 as “Red Shirt Day” in Pennsylvania. As you may know, during the 2015-2016 school year, around 27, 274 students in Pennsylvania schools were homeless or without adequate housing. This number represents a 5.5% increase from the previous school year. Much of this homelessness is a result of the limited resources available to youths including the shortage of affordable housing for displaced minors. There are organizations committed to sheltering and providing support services, meals, and food supplies to people experiencing homelessness. However, few of these services are specific to the needs of unaccompanied minors. In fact, many shelters will not accept a child under 18 years of age without the company of a parent or guardian raising the dire need for additional resources to assist students experiencing homelessness to attend school and be successful. As Pennsylvanians, we must encourage schools, communities and individuals throughout our great Commonwealth to plan for and support assistance programs for youths experiencing homelessness as they look to complete their education. As such, to show statewide solidarity with children experiencing homelessness, the House of Representatives encourages Pennsylvanians to wear Red on “Red Shirt Day,” Friday, November 17, 2017. With that said, it is for these reasons and more that I am offering this Resolution. If you have any questions, please contact my Research Analyst -- Takesha Latham at (717) 705-1943 or via email at tlatham@pahouse.net. |
Introduced as HR602