Education Project for Homeless Youth Program Manager Jennifer Martin stuffs a backpack full of school supplies in January at the Washtenaw Intermediate School District.
Daniel Brenner I AnnArbor.com file photo
The Education Project for Homeless Youth is a grant-funded program that helps homeless children from birth to age 21 to enroll, attend and succeed in school.
Last school year, 1,300 children and youth in Washtenaw County were either homeless or in a temporary living situation. Between 2010 to 2011, homelessness among students grew 32 percent, according to data collected by the Education Project.
“Our students are so appreciative of the school supplies,” said Jennifer Martin, program manager, in a statement. “It’s one of the ways we can help students to fit in and have some of the necessary educational tools for school.”
The Education Project works with all nine public districts and public school academies in the county to help students living in shelters, motels, temporary foster care, cars, abandoned houses and those living temporarily with friends or family.
Supplies can be accepted for the program throughout the summer and school year at the Teaching and Learning Center at the Washtenaw Intermediate School District at 1819 S. Wagner Road in Ann Arbor.
Until Aug. 31, supplies will also be collected at the SOS Community Services office at 101 S. Huron Ave. in Ypsilanti and at the Salvation Army at 100 Arbana in Ann Arbor.
The following is a list of items the Education Project is seeking:
- Backpacks for students of any age (black, blue, red, purple and pink are favorites)
- Solar-powered calculators
- Colored pencils, pencil sharpeners, washable markers
- Protractors and compasses
- Blunt and pointed scissors
- One-inch binders, dividers, wide-rule notebook paper
- Pencil boxes and pencil bags
- Shampoo and conditioner
- Men’s and women’s deodorant
- Laundry detergent pods and small bottles of dish detergent
- New packages of socks (ankle socks are preferred)
- New packages of underwear (boys and teens prefer boxers)
- Gift certificates to Meijer, Target, Big Lots, etc.
- Can openers
Additionally, cash donations are accepted by the Education Project year-round to be used for its student need fund. Contact the project at (734) 994-8100 ext. 1518 for more information.
Amy Biolchini covers Washtenaw County, health and environmental issues for AnnArbor.com. Reach her at (734) 623-2552, amybiolchini@annarbor.com or on Twitter.