1Designating the week of October 25 through November 1, 2014, as
2"Pennsylvania Education for Youth Experiencing Homelessness
3Awareness Week."

4WHEREAS, In the 2012-2013 school year, 22,618 students in
5Pennsylvania schools were homeless or without adequate housing;
6and

7WHEREAS, The purpose of this resolution is to educate the
8public about the prevalence of youth experiencing homelessness,
9the barriers that may prevent youth from attending school and
10the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act that all schools must
11comply with to overcome those barriers; and

12WHEREAS, There are limited resources available to youth
13experiencing homelessness, including the shortage of affordable
14housing for displaced minors; and

15WHEREAS, Homeless assistance service providers, as well as
16community service opportunities for students and school service
17organizations need public support; and

1WHEREAS, There are many organizations committed to sheltering
2and providing supportive services, meals and food supplies to
3people experiencing homelessness; and

4WHEREAS, There is still a dire need for additional resources
5to assist students experiencing homelessness to attend school
6and be successful, including the basic needs of food, clothing
7and education supplies; and

8WHEREAS, The purpose of Pennsylvania Education for Youth
9Experiencing Homelessness Awareness Week is to encourage
10schools, communities and individuals to plan for and support
11assistance programs for youth experiencing homelessness as they
12look to complete their education; therefore be it

13RESOLVED, That the Senate designate the week of October 25
14through November 1, 2014, as "Pennsylvania Education for Youth
15Experiencing Homelessness Awareness Week"; and be it further

16RESOLVED, That the Senate urge all citizens to recognize that
17homelessness continues to be a serious problem for many youth
18and families in this Commonwealth and encourage individuals and
19organizations to support the many youth who are homeless.