More than 75 students in the Newhall School District are homeless, according to an eye-opening presentation the district’s board and administrators received Wednesday night from their Student Support Services Department.
“I’ve been here for a year and a half, and we’re now bringing forward all these things that (the board) might’ve not known had existed,” said Larry Brunson, director of Student Support Services. “Under previous leadership, this might not have been a priority … but now we’re bringing to the forefront a number of issues, and they’re making it a priority.”
During the presentation, Gina Rodriguez, the NSD coordinator of Student Support Services, and Jason Busack, a social worker with the district, discussed how they’ve been able to identify 77 students within the district who are suffering from some form of homelessness — five times the amount identified in previous years.
“Ninety-two percent of those students experiencing homelessness right now are either enrolled in special education or are English learners,” Rodriguez said. “This is a real issue in Santa Clarita, because I don’t think people think homelessness is a real issue here.”
The issues related to a student’s homelessness or having inadequate housing can result in a continued feeling of shame and ostracization among their peers, malnourishment and an overall decline in their academic development, according to Rodriguez.
Homelessness a reality in the SCV
The presenters went on to say one of the key components to their mission is to inform people that homelessness is a reality within the SCV, and the issue is not just about those students who are without a home, but those who are living in inadequate, shared housing situations.
“We define homelessness as ‘fixed regular and adequate,’” said Rodriguez. “So, is the housing fixed, there every night and is it adequate for the student and family.”
Over the last year, the Student Support Services staff at the district has been able to identify a number of students who are living in cars, motels or at a friend’s residence. Others are in a shared residential unit, with multiple families living in a single family living area.
“We have found that a lot of our students are sleeping on the floor, on a couch or on a pad,” said Busack. “Ideally we’d like to get that student in a bed … but there’s four or five people sleeping in one room … and there’s no space.”
According to Busack, he has become a recognizable face at Walmart after he has made continual trips to the store in order to purchase air mattresses, which are small and compact, and the necessary items these students need to be prepared to attend school and learn to the best of their ability every day.
Those looking to find out how to help the Student Support Services Department at the Newhall School District can reach out to their office at 661-291-4182. Donations can be made year-round or during the NSD Clothing Drive being held Feb. 25-29.
“Anything and everything helps,” Rodriguez added.
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1 Comment
Dear Lord, what will they think of next? Now they are making up their own definitions to fit their agenda. Their idea of homelessness is based on ‘fixed regular and adequate’ housing, how subjective is that? Rhetorical, no need to answer.
Your idea of adequate can be wildly different than mine or someone else who has grown up in a 3rd world country. That’s why they have to ad the caveat “some form” of homelessness. Yes, I have empathy for poor kids who do not get to live as well some others but that’s our society, the way it always has been and will be.
The libtards are always complaining about Trumps ‘manufactured’ crisis at the border yet here they are in our own town doing the same thing. The word homelessness gets thrown in there and all the sudden it has everyones attention because we are a caring people. But please look beyond the fake talk and ask yourself if you have ever seen a real homeless person in Santa Clarita? I don’t mean the drug addicts and thieves or the mentally ill, but someone who is truly homeless….there are NONE. We have so many organizations, both private and government that address the homeless ‘issue’ and they spend MILLIONS of tax or donated dollars doing it. Someone who is in need and hasn’t burned every bridge they know via drugs and crime has the opportunity to walk into one of these organizations and become NOT homeless, almost overnight….and FREE to them!
Yes, lets do what we can to help the needy but lets not manufacture a crisis to do it.