How homeless American teens recently achieved an academic milestone, defying all odds
More than 100 students who graduated high school and got into college while living in homeless shelters were recently honoured by New York City authorities at an awards ceremony.
There are estimated to be around 2.5 million homeless children in America. While homelessness affects people of all backgrounds, data shows that minorities - and the black population in particular - are disproportionately affected by homelessness. While black Americans make up only 13 percent of the general population, they make up more than 40 percent of the homeless population overall, and 50 percent of homeless families with children.
Principal Policy Analyst Josef Kannegaard at the Institute of Children, Poverty, and Homelessness said: “Homelessness negatively impacts a child’s education, making them more likely to be absent or transfer schools mid-year. This school instability ultimately increases the likelihood they will repeat a grade or even dropout.
“Staying in school was hard,” he said. “I’m not going to lie. There were so many times I was upset about a situation that I couldn’t even study. I was really affected during my junior year. I still managed to do good in school but it wasn’t as good as I could have done. I started getting marks in the 80s when I had been getting 90s my whole life.
Being in a stable living situation also enabled Ronaldino to flourish in other areas. He unofficially coached other students in his high school football team and received an award in recognition of his contribution. He was also recently selected for a competitive 30-month tuition-free filmmaking programme for high school students.
He also “found worth through finding his calling". While taking part in a leadership programme for black high school students [the Junior 100 programme], he realised he was good at leading people.
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