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House Co-Sponsorship Memoranda
House of Representatives
Session of 2013 - 2014
Regular Session
MEMORANDUM
| Posted: | October 16, 2024 04:29 PM |
|---|---|
| From: | Representative Gina H. Curry and Rep. Ismail Smith-Wade-El |
| To: | All House members |
| Subject: | Pennsylvania Education for Youth Experiencing Homelessness Awareness Week |
| Ten years ago, just over 19,000 students in Pennsylvania schools identified as experiencing homelessness, today we are approaching 50,000. Much of this increase is a result of the limited resources available to youth including lack of access to support services, difficulty procuring identification, and family instability. 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. In the coming days, Myself and Rep Smith-Wade-El plan to introduce a Resolution designating the week of November 11 through November 15, 2024 as “Pennsylvania Education for Youth Experiencing Homelessness Awareness Week” and November 17, 2024 as “Red Shirt Day” in Pennsylvania. 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, 2023. |
Introduced as HR563