2018 Homeless Edition

overwhelming. As the Homeless Education Program, Project UP-START, we try to do our best to
support our students
without stable housing.
During the 2017-2018
school year, the series
of natural disasters that
affected our country
which destroyed the
homes of youth and
families due to
hurricanes, floods, and
fires was
unprecedented. After
Hurricane Irma
disturbed the lives of so
many in our own
community, and then
Hurricane Maria
brought students and
families from Puerto
Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands to Miami-Dade County, the importance of the McKinney-Vento
sub-grant became evident more than ever. With the help of the McKinney-Vento sub-grant, we are
able to serve our students who have been displaced from their homes by offering resources during
a very vulnerable time in their lives. Losing a home is devastating both physically and
emotionally, especially when so many families are separated during homelessness. Thankfully, our
Project UP-START team through the McKinney Vento sub-grant ensures that our students are able
to have the tools they need to succeed both inside and outside the classroom, even when they are
without a place to call home.
Our thoughts are with those affected by Hurricanes Michael and Florence, as well as the many
other natural disasters that have impacted so many parts of the country. Please know that our
community and so many others are available to assist in whatever way we can whenever you are
ready for us. A year later and still in the process of rebuilding, we remember those who reached
out to us after Hurricane Irma and are grateful to continue to help students in our community and
other communities throughout the country experiencing homelessness due to natural disasters.
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