Homelessness In Schools Essay

While poverty alone places a considerable amount of stress on students, the instability of homelessness adds more obstacles to a successful education than just poverty alone. Children who lack a stable home are more vulnerable to some adverse outcomes. Some threats, such as poverty and hunger, may precede experiences of homelessness while others come directly from living without a home. Various factors contribute to homelessness among youth, reasons such as lack of affordable housing, poverty, and substance abuse are most frequent. Children who are homeless are less likely to succeed in school and more likely to be plagued with anxiety, depression, and behavioral issues. They are often exposed to stress and other factors that hinder their academic success. Many of these negative factors also contribute to underachievement in school for many homeless children. One of the biggest issues faced about living situations that make attending school difficult is the location of the shelters where these families are placed. The location which these families are placed causes these children to lose out on stable …show more content…
Steps to Success provides three hot meals a day, as well as a two-hour nap time. The directors of Steps to Success coordinate with a licensed nutritionist to make the healthiest choices possible. Children are given breakfast, lunch, and a snack after naptime. The designated naptime allows children to benefit from the relaxation and rest they may otherwise be lacking. The lack of balanced, meals have a profound impact on these children’s health. Due to the fact that many of these children may be lacking nutrition, ensuring nutrient intake are essential for their growth and development. Sleep is especially important for children at this age as it directly impacts their mental and physical development. Childhood sleep