Serving Unaccompanied Youth: meeting the needs of the most vulnerable students Kathy Wigtil Cheryl Pooler Waco ISD, Waco, Texas *PLEASE TAKE A COLOR 4X6 CARD AND A WHITE 4X6 CARD

Kathy Wigtil Cheryl Pooler Instructions: Everyone should have a color index card and a white index card Put your address at the top of the white card You may put our addresses on the color card The color card is for you to keep – write down anything you want to know more about and us for info We will collect the white card with your and your ideas – explanation to follow!

Here’s what we know: million youth experience homelessness on their own each year 20-40% were abused sexually in their homes 40-60% were abused physically Over 2/3’s report at last one parent who abuses drugs or alcohol 20-40% have been thrown out due to their sexual orientation or because of pregnancy

What do our students need to be successful? Food Clothing Access to healthcare Academic and Emotional Support Safety/Shelter

So what can we do? MHMR Starry Counseling Center Baylor University, McLennan Community College Habitat for Humanity Waco Community Development Waco City Transit Texas Hunger Initiative/Local Hunger Coalition Methodist Children’s Home Waco Kiwanis Club Unbound Communities in Schools Salvation Army Family Abuse Center

ACCESS TO FOOD AND HEALTHCARE: SNAP and Medicaid USDA GUIDELINES: Search for: Homeless

Partnership with a local ministry: Shepherd’s Heart Things from the Heart Resale – provides vouchers for free items CLOTHING

USING SOCIAL WORK INTERNS AS STAFF CASE MANAGEMENT ON CAMPUS “ON YOUR OWN” GROUPS AT LUNCH ON CAMPUS ACADEMIC AND EMOTIONAL SUPPORT

HEADQUARTERED IN WACO, TX LOCATIONS IN: ANN ARBOR, MI BATON ROUGE, LA FORT WORTH, TX HOUSTON, TX SEATTLE, WA MONGOLIA SOUTH AFRICA SAFETY

A refuge from the storms of life providing: Care, Opportunity, Value, Empowerment The COVE

Questions? Comments! Kathy Wigtil, Cheryl Pooler,