As we approach 2024, ECYEH Awareness Week, November 11-15, join us for an eye-opening discussion on ECYEH Awareness Week with special guest Sonia Pitzi, a dedicated regional coordinator with Pennsylvania's Education for Children and Youth Experiencing Homelessness (PA ECYEH) Program. Together, we explore the transformative power of the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act in providing stability and educational rights. Discover how the origins of ECYEH Awareness Week focus on the critical role of education amidst the daunting challenges faced by these students.

Our conversation delves into the tradition of Wear Red Day, showcasing how symbolic red attire sparks essential conversations about student homelessness. We also spotlight progress, emphasizing the small victories that contribute significantly to the educational journey of students experiencing homelessness. This episode serves as a potent reminder of the power of education, community, and advocacy in driving change.

Read the transcript (PDF).

Links

• PA ECYEH Awareness Week Toolkit
• The Bridge Project in PA
• PA ECYEH Learning Series
• ECYEH Cell Phone Project
• Finding Your Way in PA App
• Pennsylvania Education for Children and Youth Experiencing Homelessness
• Sign up for email updates
• Center for Schools and Communities

Meet Our Guest

Sonia Pitzi, Regional Coordinator, Education for Children and Youth Experiencing Homelessness, Lincoln Intermediate Unit

Sonia has worked with students experiencing homelessness for 29 years, eliminating educational barriers for homeless students and unaccompanied teens through partnerships and coordination with school districts, shelters and other community agencies. Sonia obtained her bachelor's degree in Outdoor Education (Special Populations) from Northland College in Wisconsin. In 2015, she received the national Sandra Neese Lifetime Achievement Award, presented by the National Association for Education of Homeless Children and Youth. She connects with students through a shared love of pizza, firmly believes that chocolate can save both her life and the lives of others and maintains that red is the best color because it can showcase a myriad of emotions.

In partnership with Move Forward Counseling and eLuma, The Bridge Project in PA facilitates FREE access to mental health services for PA children and youth experiencing homelessness. Learn the benefits of teletherapy; how schools, students, and families access services; how the program is addressing technological challenges; and the impact of mental health on academic achievement.

We also tackle broader challenges school districts face, such as absenteeism and behavioral needs, and how virtual mental health support can enhance traditional in-person approaches. Discover the critical role of parents/guardians in the teletherapy process and the collaborative efforts between schools and teletherapy providers. Finally, we emphasize the importance of student engagement and self-advocacy, and highlight the seamless referral processes of The Bridge Project in PA and the ongoing mission to extend support to all students in need.

The Bridge Project in PA is part of Pennsylvania’s American Rescue Plan Homeless Children and Youth (ARP-HCY) Program and is available for a limited time.

Read the transcript.

A referral for services through The Bridge Project in PA is required by the Homeless Liaison at the student’s school.

Links:

• The Bridge Project in PA
• Pennsylvania Education for Children and Youth Experiencing Homelessness
• Sign up for email updates
• "I Will Be Your Voice" Podcast
• Center for Schools and Communities

Meet Our Guests

Valerie McNicholl, Chief Operating Officer, Move Forward Counseling

Valerie McNicholl is a licensed clinical social worker in PA and chief operating officer of Move Forward Counseling, LLC. Valerie has 20+ years of experience working with children, adults, and families to improve their lives in a variety of treatment settings. Valerie approaches therapy from a strengths-based perspective and uses a variety of interventions. Originally from Schenectady, New York, she firmly believes that people heal differently, and that therapy can be a means to finding your way.

Chris Niemeyer, Director of School Partnerships, eLuma

Chris is a lifelong EdTech advocate and comes from a family of educators. He has worked with schools in a range of roles, from implementing digital tools in classrooms to rolling out large-scale technology initiatives. Over the past 20+ years, he has worked with several influential EdTech companies and has the expertise required to successfully support educators and K-12 school districts. In that context, Chris joined eLuma with a shared mission to help all students achieve their potential.

Leslie Cole, Director of School Solutions, eLuma

Leslie is a dedicated and experienced educational professional with a passion for supporting students, staff, and promoting systemic positive change. As a school psychologist supporting districts in the surrounding Tampa Bay, Florida, region, she gained invaluable knowledge and led efforts to support schools with Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS), early intervention, and trauma-informed care. After the pandemic, Leslie made the decision to return to New York, where she became MTSS coordinator and later a district administrator. Leslie is now director of school success at eLuma.

Can a community rally together to keep families united during their toughest times? Join us for an in-depth conversation with Matt Wagner from Family Promise as we explore the often misunderstood realities of homelessness and how their community partnerships take a holistic approach to providing services. Discover their collaborative efforts with local churches for nightly accommodations and their impactful partnership with United Way of the Capital Region's Road to Success program, which has been transformative in improving employment rates, even for those with criminal histories. Hear about their approach with their partnerships for food distribution and job preparation resources, illustrating how tailored assistance can make all the difference in helping families move towards stability. You will also learn constructive ways that you can get involved and make an impact. From spreading the word on social media to volunteering for important roles like van driving or committee participation, your support can be transformative.

Read the transcript (PDF).

Meet Our Guest
Matthew Wagner is the Executive Director for Family Promise Harrisburg, which means he has the best job in the world. He gets to help his community support families and individuals at risk of experiencing homelessness, currently experiencing homelessness, or transitioning out of experiencing homelessness on their path to permanent housing. He believes in a collaborative approach that treats every person as an individual and works to help them, not just in the short-term, but also in the long-term to be able to prosper and achieve their goals.

Matthew likes to think outside the box and problem-solve, which have been invaluable in the decade he’s worked in the nonprofit world, first as a consultant, then on the communications side, before getting into fundraising. Now he’s combined all those experiences for the last almost two years as Executive Director of Family Promise Harrisburg Capital Region. In his time there he established an environment where the staff, board, and volunteers all take what they do seriously but don’t take themselves seriously leading to a team-oriented approach where we are all extended family looking out for each other and those we serve.

Resources

• Pennsylvania Education for Children and Youth Experiencing Homelessness
• Sign up for email updates
• "I Will Be Your Voice" Podcast
• Center for Schools and Communities

Walter Harris and Emma Grimm join us to shed light on their poignant journeys through homelessness. Through bouts with the juvenile justice system, foster care, and relentless searches for stable housing, their stories are powerful testimonies of how these experiences fueled their passion for youth homelessness advocacy, restorative justice and mentorship. Join us for these compelling conversations and discover how advocacy and community support can truly transform lives.

Read the transcript (PDF).

Meet Our Guests

Emma Grimm (she/her/they/them) is a passionate advocate and student. They serve as co-chair of the Western PA Youth Action Board, Advocates4Change. Through this position, Emma has been able to bring the perspective of a former foster youth to the homeless response system, advocating for youth transitioning out of care. Emma believes in centering the voices of those with lived experience, acknowledging that they are the experts in solutions and systems that have shaped their lives. She regularly participates in speaking engagements, sharing insights on improving youth-serving systems and organizations, strengthening youth-adult partnerships, and elevating the voices of individuals with lived experiences. Emma ultimately leads with her own lived experience to empower and expand opportunities for youth.

Through her work with the YAB, Emma was connected to Westmoreland Community Action where she has been working as the Regional Youth Systems Navigator. In this position, she is responsible for helping homeless youth throughout the 20 county region of Western PA gain access to the resources necessary to obtain housing. She works to make connections across different systems within the region in order to adequately serve the youth. Emma will be graduating in the fall from the University of Valley Forge with a bachelor’s degree in Intercultural Studies and is hoping to continue in her pursuits of advocacy work full-time, but on a larger scale.

Walter Harris lives on the Southside of Pittsburgh. He is a returning
citizen after serving 130 months in federal prison. He has been home for 40 months on June 25, 2024. Since returning home, he has been volunteering for many community organizations: he belongs to the Elsinore Bennu Think Tank for Restorative Justice(EBTT), sponsored by Duquesne University and sits on the planning committee for Voices for Juvenile Justice, which is an EBTT Initiative. He is a volunteer and founding member for Western PA's Participatory Defense Hub, in partnership with Abolition Law Center. He is on the Leadership Board for Allegheny County Anchored Reentry Coalition (ACAR), and also co-chair the Basic Needs Committee. He sits on the Diversity Equity Inclusion & Belonging Committee for Western PA's CoC ( Continuance of Care) and on the Reentry Committed and Homeless Advisory Board (HAB) for the same. He is a certified mentor/site leader for Father's on the Move - Pittsburgh and was ordained as a minister in August 2023 by Last Days World Outreach, an affiliate of Assemblies of God Church. HE will be a licensed Chaplain from Christians in the Marketplace (CIMP) Ministries.

Resources

• Pennsylvania Education for Children and Youth Experiencing Homelessness
• Sign up for email updates
• "I Will Be Your Voice" Podcast
• Center for Schools and Communities
• Continuums of Care

Maryama's story is one of resilience and determination in the face of adversity. Born and raised in Niger, she embarked on a journey to America with her family at the age of 15 to join her father. However, life took an unexpected turn when she found herself homeless at 18 years old, during her senior year at Central Dauphin East High School. Despite the challenges she faced, Maryama refused to let her circumstances define her future. She sought refuge at the YWCA Harrisburg and later discovered the Transitional Living Program at the Valley Youth House Dauphin County Office. This program became a lifeline for Maryama, providing her with stability, support, and the resources she needed to navigate the difficult transition into adulthood. Maryama's story serves as a testament to the power of resilience and the importance of having a support system in times of need.

Meet Our Guest

Maryama Labrane was born in Niger. At 15, Maryama came to the U.S. and found herself homeless during her senior year at Central Dauphin East High School. She sought refuge at the YWCA Harrisburg and later discovered the Transitional Living Program at the Valley Youth House Dauphin County Office. This program became a lifeline for Maryama, providing her with stability, support, and the resources she needed to navigate the difficult transition into adulthood.

Read the transcript (PDF).

Resources

Pennsylvania Education for Children and Youth Experiencing Homelessness (ECYEH)

Sign up for email updates

"I Will Be Your Voice" Podcast

Center for Schools and Communities

Valley Youth House

Since we are still early in 2024, “I Will Be Your Voice” shares a special bonus episode with the staff behind the scenes at the Center for Schools and Communities. In this bonus episode, we chat with our Center for Schools and Communities team who are working on statewide projects for the Education for Children and Youth Experiencing Homelessness program. Join us as we preview upcoming projects for 2024, areas of focus, what we are excited about, and what you can look forward to in the coming months!

Please review the transcript.

Resources:

Pennsylvania Education for Children and Youth Experiencing Homelessness (ECYEH)

Sign up for email updates

"I Will Be Your Voice" Podcast

Center for Schools and Communities

Meet Our Guests

Matt Butensky is youth development project manager at Center for Schools and Communities.

Benjamin Simmons is youth development specialist at Center for Schools and Communities.

Taylor Teichman is youth development coordinator, ECYEH, at Center for Schools and Communities.

Melissa Turnpaugh is youth development coordinator, ARP-HCY, at Center for Schools and Communities.

Our morning chat with the Pennsylvania Department of Education State Coordinator for Homeless Education, Mr. Storm Camara, isn't just about the challenges of providing educational stability for children and youth experiencing homelessness; it's a celebration of successes and a glimpse into the future of educational support systems. Mr. Camara gives us a behind-the-scenes look at the growth of the Pennsylvania Education for Children and Youth Experiencing Homelessness (PA ECYEH) program under his guidance, revealing systemic strides toward equity and the importance of identifying and assisting over 40,000 students experiencing homelessness. Discover how the American Rescue Plan Homeless Children and Youth Program has supercharged Pennsylvania's efforts with initiatives like "Finding Your Way in PA" app and the upcoming "The Bridge Project in Pennsylvania" online mental health service. The conversation also underscores the importance of collaboration with educational departments and community organizations, which proves pivotal in setting students on their pathway to success. The announcement of the "Paving the Way to Educational Success Conference" spotlights our dedication to involving the community in this pressing issue—an event you won't want to miss this October.

Please review the transcript.

Resources

Pennsylvania Education for Children and Youth Experiencing Homelessness (ECYEH)

Sign up for email updates

"I Will Be Your Voice" Podcast

Center for Schools and Communities

Meet Our Guest

Mr. Storm Y. Camara, M.Ed., M.S. is the state coordinator for Homeless Education at the Pennsylvania Department of Education. Prior to this position, he was a school principal for 3 years, ending his tenure at Quehanna Motivational Boot Camp. He has been a teacher of English and Elementary Education in the Philadelphia Public School system, teaching a total of 10 years in the city. Mr. Camara has also been an adjunct professor at Cheyney University, offering instruction in Introduction to Education courses, as well as Praxis workshops for aspiring Elementary Education teachers.

Eden Village is a new, planned tiny home community in Harrisburg, PA, to provide the chronically homeless a permanent place to live and rebuild. Hear from husband and wife Jon and Raquel Bomberger, who serve on the board of Eden Village Harrisburg, how the vision for this community began among friends interested in making a difference is becoming a reality. Learn more about the inspiration, planning and steps it takes to build such a community. Recently, Eden Village was featured on The Kelly Clarkson Show! #NoOneSleepsOutside

Please review the transcript.

Resources:

Pennsylvania Education for Children and Youth Experiencing Homelessness (ECYEH)

"I Will Be Your Voice" Podcast

Sign up for email updates

Eden Village of Harrisburg

Support Eden Village of Harrisburg

Kelly Clarkson Hosts Eden Village

Eden Village of Harrisburg Facebook