Beaverton School District has the largest population of houseless minors in the state of Oregon. According to the district, in 2018 they had 1,799 students enrolled in school with no permanent home. This includes any student who doesn't have a permanent residence, and ranges from couch surfing to not having anywhere to sleep but outside. 361 of those students were considered “unaccompanied youth” with no parent or guardian. The McKinney-Vento Act’s Education of Homeless Children and Youth Program ensures that any student in Oregon is provided with appropriate public education regardless of their residential status. The McKinney-Vento Act requires at least one liaison per district to help families in need. The Beaverton School District has three liaisons that already hold other positions within the district.
HomePlate is a nonprofit organization that operates in Beaverton for people between the ages of 12 and 24 that find themselves unable to secure housing. They operate Monday through Thursday and provide essentials such as food, clothing, showers, and laundry. In addition, they provide resources such as housing assistance, employment connections and have information for other social services. According to their website “HomePlate is Washington County's only non-profit provider of drop-in centers and street outreach for young people experiencing homelessness.” Volunteer work and donations are an essential part of what makes the organization work.
HomePlate is an invaluable resource to Beaverton and Washington County at large. Unfortunately, the Portland metro area (Beaverton included) is lacking the resources necessary to support the large population of underage individuals facing homelessness. For all of Washington County, there is only one shelter in Hillsboro that provides an overnight place to stay for minors. This makes the necessity of HomePlate receiving and redistributing donated items such as clothing and blankets all the more necessary. Donating to HomePlate (homeplateyouth.org/donate) is really easy. Their website has details on all of the ways to help out and lists current monthly needs. Their website states that nearly 25% of their income is non-cash, and is essential to the function of their organization.
By Brody Jones
FOX 12 Staff, “Beaverton School District sees the highest number of homeless teens.” FOX 12 Beaverton, 18 Feb. 2018. https://www.kptv.com/news/beaverton-school-district-sees-the-highest-number-of-homeless-teens/article_d85c69d7-f2ae-5960-a4e3-4e37c043f276.html
“McKinney-Vento Act: Homeless Education Program.” Oregon Department of Education : McKinney-Vento Act: Homeless Education Program : McKinney-Vento Act : State of Oregon, www.oregon.gov/ode/schools-and-districts/grants/ESEA/McKinney-Vento/Pages/default.aspx?fbclid=IwAR09Fj2ciuwB9x7ky11pdpFnbtVoJGcZBLDROxNKchb_21aFJC44EDzMgOU.
Vespa, Maggie and Jared Cowley, “Beaverton bans homeless camping on city streets.” KGW8, 13 June 2018. https://www.kgw.com/article/news/local/homeless/beaverton-bans-homeless-camping-on-city-streets/283-564092315
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