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Victoria Sees Growing Number of Homeless Students

Local

Written by Stephanie Kusy

An invisible problem is coming to the forefront. Victoria has its share of people going through difficult times and don't have a place to call home, including children. KIDZ Connection officials said there are currently 452 homeless students, one of the highest numbers they've seen. 430 of the students are enrolled in Victoria ISD. Most students are doubled-up, or living with other family members because their parents cannot afford a home. Some families live in shelters. More than 100 students in Victoria live in motels so their parents can pay rent on a daily or week-to-week basis. For most this lifestyle is temporary, but it still takes a serious toll on children. Deborah, her husband and 14-year-old daughter will be eating macaroni and cheese tonight. A microwave, hot plate and refrigerator are their only means for making food. They live in a motel. Deborah said she lost her car and house after getting fired for not showing up to work one day because she was sick from an ongoing battle with Diabetes. Now she works at the motel in return for a free room. Her husband has resorted to panhandling. "A lot of people will come by and holler 'get a job,'" she said. "It's not like we're not trying." The person taking it hardest is her daughter who's in 9th grade and embarrassed to be one of more than 450 students in Victoria considered to be homeless. She would like to join the band at school, but can't because her parents don't have enough for a flute. "You either have to lease your own flute or buy your own flute, and there's not enough money for an $1100 flute," Deborah said. "This year we're seeing a lot more of the temporary issue where they're needing their families and the community to step in and help them get through this really hard time," said Gail Brocklebank, KIDZ Connection Community Specialist. A federal law states students have the right to stay in their school of origin if they choose to. "It's the one place they feel secure," said Mary Post, KIDZ Connection lead teacher liaison. "It's the only place they know they can get meals everyday." If someone is considered homeless they do not need to provide proof of residency, birth certificate or school records to enroll in school. Homeless students may also attend the school in which they were last enrolled even if they have moved away from that school's attendance zone. For more information, contact KIDZ Connection at 361-788-9909. KIDZ Connection also accepts monetary donations and new or gently used clothing from 4T all the way to 3X.