c




      
ccc 

It's hard enough sometimes being a student, trying to master reading, writing and math along with the various social pressures of
the school environment. Now try it when you're not sure where you'll be sleeping tonight.

The weight of homelessness as a societal issue will continue to be a challenge that defies an easy solution in these hard times,
especially in this region as winter approaches.

The Green Bay Press-Gazette reported Monday that the number of homeless students in the Green Bay School District is up
about 20 percent from this time last year. That's about 450 young people, up from around 375 a year ago ² and the number a
year ago was far too many.

Most of the students currently considered homeless have moved in with family or friends temporarily; 43 are living or have spent
some time living in hotels; 106 are or have been in local shelters.

As the overall economy continues to sink and jobs become scarce, parents are losing the roofs over their heads. The result is a
volatile school life for their children.

During a recent two-week period, for example, 20 students transferred into Sullivan Elementary School. Janelle Peotter, a social
worker at the school, said many of the new arrivals had been evicted from their homes in other parts of town.

Robyn Davis, president of -


a nonprofit homeless shelter in Green Bay, said 18 children are temporarily
residing at her facility. And although the shelter has not seen an increase in the number of children, Davis said Freedom House
has fielded more inquiries from local schools "because the school system is seeing so many children."

The average stay for families has also increased from eight to 12 weeks to 12 to 15 weeks, Davis said.

"The stays have extended beyond what we've seen in the past and that's because of an inability to find employment, and
obviously that's the linchpin in term of obtaining permanent housing and then moving out," Davis said in an interview Tuesday.

The school district has plans to monitor the progress of homeless students in their schools and help them get through the school
year, and that's commendable. But the district, and government agencies in general, are equipped to treat the symptoms, not
address the underlying problem.

We're thankful someone is watching out for these kids. But until their parents find jobs, it's in the best interest of the entire
community to support the efforts of the local schools and programs that assist these children.

D
 Dc

According to Robyn Davis, president of Freedom House in Green Bay, people can volunteer "time, talent and treasure."
u Time: Visit a shelter; volunteer for administrative duties, such as answering the phone or assist with mailings.

u Talent: Share your skills in a specific area to benefit the daily operations.

u Treasure: Donate items such as clothing, food, furniture, appliances, bedding and money.
Davis said Freedom House has a matching gift program until the end of the year. Every donation will be matched dollar for dollar, up to
$70,000. Also this weekend, all proceeds from the Spirit of the Holidays Celebration of Dance at the Meyer Theater will go to Freedom
House. Show times are Saturday, Dec. 5 at 7 p.m. and Sunday, Dec. 6 at 1 p.m.
For a list of homeless shelters in the area, and information on how you can help local homeless children, call the Brown County
Department of Human Services at (920) 448-6095, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; or call the Runaway Project at (920)
436-8888 (24 hours), or (920) 819-4684. Runaway Project is part of Family Services of Northeast Wisconsin, a nonprofit agency.
Or, for information on Green Bay Area Schools, contact Alison Draheim at (920) 448-7326.