Homelessness in America

So in order for them to have shelter from the weather they have no choice but to live in their cars. The parents in the video show genuine concern for their families and try to make the best of their living conditions. Nonetheless, the children are still scared and worried about their parents' and grandparents' safety at night because they never know who will come along and try to steal their belongings. The video focuses on the children's view of homelessness and how they cope with going to school and trying to be normal, to blend in with the peers. A lady Beth Davalos is a liaison for Families in Transition in Seminole County, Florida. She runs programs for the county schools for homeless children and their families. "The longevity of homelessness continues to rise, so people are running out of resources", (Davalos, B. 2011). Davalos helps the families by providing motel rooms for a few days or until money from the county and donations run out. Other advocates for homeless children are teachers who are concerned with the education and development of young children. In fact, "Seventy-five percent of U. S. homeless children perform below grade level in Reading and schools and teachers may not be prepared to teach these students " (Dalhouse & Risko, 2008). Teachers can help homeless children by providing a special space in the classroom for them to store some personal items and a place to have some alone time to help release some of the stress from being homeless. For some children who develop behavior problems due to homelessness the strategies can help them become more active in academic activities and create a sense of belonging to the class community. Also, teachers can invite the parents of homeless children to volunteer in the classroom or at school. This will help them get through their day and create a sense of self-worth, which could boost their morale. According to Dalhouse & Risko (2008), teachers could volunteer at homeless shelters and after-school programs to tutor children in effort to help them succeed academically.