Homeless Children in Portland

     How can Portland, a city known for being environmentally conscious rank so highly on the map for homeless youth? In 2017, 22,541 children from kindergarten to 12th grade

 




Were reportedly homeless in the state of Oregon and that in the Portland Tri-county area, roughly 4,427 were homeless just in the last school year. With homelessness affecting a large portion of the population, the demand for addressing the protection of at-risk youth has become a top priority. At the core of the problem is fighting hunger within these vulnerable communities. While hunger has been steadily decreasing in Oregon, it remains persistently high. Communities have banded together to create meal-kits and supplies for homeless students. A church in Beaverton assembled volunteers to ensure students would not go without food during winter break since they would not have access to a hot meal at school. As an inclusive and tight-knit community, Portland has worked closely with many organizations to offer assistance to families with food-insecure households, but is this enough?

Oregon Food Bank

 

      Organizations like Hunger-Free Oregon, Portland Rescue Mission, The Oregon Food Bank and The Transition Project work to provide food for the homeless community. In recognizing the correlation between academic success and a hot meal, the city of Portland has made strides in increasing bed availability and creating additional funding for shelters. The Oregon Food Bank offers food assistance to anyone who many need it without discrimination and recognizes that nourishment creates thriving communities. Other efforts Oregon has made in helping homeless students include services to assist families by providing transportation and some school supplies. Factors such as lack of affordable housing, lack of a living wage, and racial discrimination alongside addiction and cyclical homelessness are the issues that need to be tackled to decrease the number of homeless youths. Though a total economic re-structure for the city is crucial, actively partaking in the community is one way to combat hunger. As a city that works together, Portlanders are doing what they can to help better their community. Whether it be creating community gardens or creating meals together, there is an opportunity for everyone to get involved. If you would like to volunteer and assist in serving the community, please visit Transition Projects.

Related articles and resources: Oregon Food Bank, Homelessness Tool Kit, Fr1ends of the Ch1ldren, Portland Rescue Mission, Homelessness in Portland

Written by Meghan Fulgenzi

February 03, 2020