YMCA program aids homeless youths, families

Thu., March 16, 2006

By Hilary Kraus hilaryk@spokesman.com

Name of the program: YWCA Homeless Children’s Educational Resource Program.

What it does: Works with Spokane Public Schools and Spokane Mental Health, helping youths and families who are homeless.

The school district provides transportation to their schools and gives the students free breakfast and lunch.

The Y provides school supplies, backpacks, socks and underwear and personal hygiene items. It also helps the families find housing and serves as a support system.

An after-school program and teen business-type program also are available.

The Homeless Children’s Educational Resource Program helps about more than 500 people each year. To be eligible, a parent must have at least one child registered within Spokane Public Schools.

Teenagers not living with a legal parent or guardian also qualify for services. In addition, a parent or teen must be homeless (i.e.: living with another family out of economic necessity, living in an emergency shelter or living in transitional housing).

Who runs it: YWCA, in collaboration with Spokane Public Schools and Spokane Mental Health.

How to get or give help: Call Linsey Robinson at 326-1190, ext. 152.

Typical client: A single mother recently released from jail. She and her son are homeless and living in a motel.

The program gave the child school supplies, and he is attending its after-school program. It also is helping his mom get her résumè together and find a job.

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