We decided that student poverty is a huge issue in our community. About 1.6 million youth experience homelessness on their own each year in the U.S. We think that the main root cause of student poverty is low income families. Many students drop out of school to support their families instead of staying in school to get a higher paying job and break the cycle of poverty. 1 in 30 students are affected by homelessness, and over 285 students in Waco ISD have experienced homelessness themselves. 15 percent of homeless children are ages 13-17, 34 percent are ages 6-12 and 51 percent are under the age of 6. Currently there is only one bed available for every 125 young people living without a home. Our goal is to reduce student homelessness in Waco. By making an after school program, we will give them food, a place to study, and and a place to stay out of crime.
