During National Homeless Youth Awareness Month, MCPASD Families in Transition Coordinator Amy Poole shares how Dane County’s housing crisis affects MCPASD students. She said the number of unhoused students in MCPASD has increased from 42 to 75 students since the previous school year.
“With every school change, a student loses six months of schooling on average,” Poole said. “It is for this reason that we work so hard to keep students in their ‘school of origin’ versus having them transfer to a new school every time they move. Students do not have control over their living arrangements.”
Poole’s role includes supporting students and families who are experiencing homelessness. She said that MCPASD supports students living in temporary housing to help ensure their continued access to education but that it’s increasingly challenging with the growing number of families in the District losing housing.
Poole said that while homelessness looks different for families “doubling up” on housing rather than sleeping outside on the street, the experience is stressful for children. Transportation is among the challenges for students who are not staying in their school’s attendance area.
“The District has to rely on local cab companies or private ride services to transport the students,” Poole said. “Oftentimes, these companies struggle to get our students to or from school on time on a consistent basis.”
It’s among the stressors unhoused students face, in addition to being tired and hungry at school, as well as feeling anxious about finding their parents after school and where they’ll sleep at night. Poole noted that students have a right to feel safe, loved and that they belong.
“We have the responsibility to help support all of our students to feel these things,” Poole said.
WayForward Resources' Senior Director of Development and Community Engagement Leslie Albrecht Huber recently joined Poole to talk with WMTV 15 News about the increase in unhoused families in the Middleton and Cross Plains communities. They discussed the challenges of connecting families with services and resources to help increase their stability and access to education.
Albrecht Huber shared the expression “rent eats first,” emphasizing that when housing costs consume a significant portion of a household’s income, little money is left for necessities including food and clothing.
Several organizations help MCPASD families in need bridge the gap with food and other necessities. Individuals and businesses that would like to support MCPASD students in need are welcome to email Poole at apoole@mcpasd.k12.wi.us.
Also, those interested in offering support are welcome to donate to and volunteer with the following groups and resources:
The Cardinal’s Nest, which provides Middleton High School students in need with access to food, hygiene items and clothing.
The Weekend Food Program, which supports middle and elementary schools students. It’s funded by the MCPASD Education Foundation and local nonprofits.
Middleton Meals Matters, a nonprofit led by Middleton High School students that is dedicated to fighting food insecurity.
Photo captions: The Cardinal’s Nest at Middleton High School; left to right, news anchor Leigh Mills, Amy Poole, Leslie Albrecht Huber