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A Senior Seminar Editorial by Julie Mitchell, MHS 2010
There is an epidemic spreading throughout Massachusetts between adult teenagers and homelessness. Throughout the Unites States nearly 1.3 million of the United State’s youth society is deeply affected by the crippling damage of homelessness. These young and innocent people needed to regain their lives not by themselves, but through the kind support from their community.
According to Guy, a patient at Youth Harbors, “. . . I take what he [father] did to us, and I’m trying to make the best life I can.” School districts throughout Massachusetts and the U.S. should take initiative to construct organizations to end teen homelessness.
Many teenagers, particularly high school students, do not understand how lucky they are to come home from school everyday with a roof over their head. However, this is not the same case for the 4.2% (12,000) of high school students who are affected by the crippling damage of homelessness. According to Mark Evens the director of client services at Bridge Over Troubled Waters in Boston, “This is really becoming an urgent issue. This past week I got five calls from local high schools for kids who have become homeless.” Unfortunately, homelessness is a startling obstacle for students primarily at the age of 18 and older. Teenagers 18 and older face this horrific tragedy due to crumbling impairment caused by economic disputes, family neglect, or even parents who believe their child is capable in supporting themselves at this young age. Unfortunately, Barbara Hollis is one of multiple adult teenagers, who had painfully suffered homelessness. Barbara Hollis was effect by the crippling blow of homelessness as a senior in high school. She kept sanction at her aunt’s house after suffering abuse from her parents and an unhealthy atmosphere at home. However, Barbara’s aunt kicked her out and she went to seek shelter at her sister’s house. Unfortunately, her stay at her sister’s house was short lived and Barbara found herself living in the streets. Fortunately, she received comforting nurture from Youth Harbors, which is coordinated by her high school in Malden. Youth Harbors opened in October 2009 and currently helps 25 students who are homeless to find a substantial job and affordable housing. Several schools throughout Massachusetts should mirror Youth Harbors program to facilitate adult teens that are infected with this tragic downfall. The result from building new sanctions similar to Youth Harbors will plunge teen homelessness in Massachusetts.
Schools throughout Massachusetts should have an organization analogous to Youth Harbors that forcefully drives in supporting homeless teenagers. Though teenagers are embarrassed to step quarters into a homeless shelter, they should not be timid to obtain succor that will enrich their lives with fulfillment. Comparable to Youth Harbors that was fiscally funded by a $100,000 stimulus grant, non-profit organizations that drive in supporting teen homelessness, should be obligated in changing these precious lives. Unfortunately, Massachusetts is recuperating from a recession, which would simultaneously slow down the construction of future sanctions for needy adult teens. These future youth centers should be compelled to provide not only the essentials, but tutoring to keep students engrossed in their studies and successfully passing state exams for graduation requirements. The M.C.A.S. is a test every student grudges to take, but homelessness can affect a person’s performance when taking this requirement for graduation. Approximately, 62% of homeless students exceeded the English language section and 45% of these students exceeded the Math section. As a result of providing tutors, students will enhance their studies and M.C.A.S. scores could dramatically improve to either proficient or advance. Hopefully, these future organizations will help to further educate these innocent students!
Not only will academic support enhance each student a promising education, but provide them structured building blocks for them to pursue in their college career. These building blocks rooted by their education will increase their self esteem by encouraging them something sacred to live up to. In order for a student to hopefully attend college, scholarships should be open to students whose lives are deeply impinged by homelessness. These scholarships should be funded by community colleges, to help a student like Barbara, to continue their education. This community college should have 2-3 slots open for homeless students who are willing to purse a full 4 year college education. The community college would fully fund their four year attendance if they engross themselves vigorously in their studies and maintain a grade point average of a 3.0 or higher. The only portion of this studious package each student would have to pay for are their text books. These students would be required to purchase used textbooks pertaining to each subject they are taking, because it would be much cheaper than buying a brand new textbook. These students should take advantage of their college education to drive themselves into their future profession.
Hopefully, there will be future high schools not just in Massachusetts, but throughout the United States that will take initiative in mirroring Youth Harbors. These teenagers can live fulfilled lives by seeking support through the generosity provided by these future organizations. The epidemic between adult teenagers and homelessness can decrease dramatically with an entire community’s support!