The Daily The Sunday Read: ‘Young and Homeless in Rural America’
14 snips
Nov 13, 2022 Sandra Plantz, the homeless liaison at Gallia County Local Schools, shares her insights on the alarming issue of youth homelessness in rural Ohio. She reveals the lack of safety nets, where students often sleep in parking lots due to no shelters. Plantz highlights the cruel paradox of unstable living conditions leading to failing educational outcomes. She emphasizes the vital role of community support and dedicated advocates who strive to improve the lives of these vulnerable students, tackling systemic issues that perpetuate their struggles.
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Blake's Family Struggle
- Blake's family faced eviction and struggled with basic needs like showering and laundry.
- They lived in a camper without water or a bathroom, highlighting the lack of support in rural areas.
Rural Homelessness
- Rural students experience homelessness at similar rates as urban students but with fewer resources.
- Schools often become the only support system, highlighting the gap in rural services.
Sandra Plants: Homeless Liaison
- Sandra Plants, initially reluctant, became a dedicated homeless liaison.
- Plants developed procedures to identify homeless students, whose numbers then increased dramatically, revealing a hidden problem.