Want to hear something you may not have known? There are 56 students in Allendale's School District that are considered homeless and as numbers grow, communities have a responsibility to extend a hand and help out when they can. And that's just what Kari Wiersema at Evergreen Elementary does.
Holding the title of Homeless Liaison, she is first on the line when it comes to ensuring these children have what they need and continues to work diligently to support them and their families.
According to Fox 17, under the McKinney-Vento Act, or Homelessness Assistance Act, schools are required to provide assistance for students experiencing homelessness, which usually extends to food and transportation. Luckily, in Allendale, the 50+ students experiencing homeless have access to much, much more.
Kari is responsible for making sure students have the necessary resources, food and transportation, as well as clothing, toiletries, winter gear, school supplies and everything else they need to maintain their basic needs.
As Kari shared with Fox 17 in her interview with them, "They just know that somebody’s on their side and if they ever come to a spot where they just can’t do it anymore that there’s a team here at the school that’s going to step up and do whatever we can to make it."
The stock of supplies is largely dependent on the community and donations they make, finding local drop-off places across local businesses in the area. AT & T Walker at 355 Wilson Ave. NW. Rouge Salon is also hosting an EVENT at Trailpoint on May 19th to raise funds and have a drop off.
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