Pennsylvania’s ECYEH Awareness Week recognizes and brings awareness to the importance of the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act and the education needed to provide stability and consistency to children and youth experiencing homelessness across Pennsylvania.
Schools and programs across Pennsylvania will be hosting schoolwide activities for children and youth experiencing homelessness and their families. We encourage educators, community members, and leaders to join in, gaining a deeper understanding of the vital impact you make and the ongoing resources needed to support these students.
Join us to raise awareness and show support!
- Use and share our digital content.
- Use and share our new ECYEH Impact flyer on student homelessness in Pennsylvania.
- Participate in our Pennsylvania ECYEH Learning Series webinar on Thursday, November 6, “Understanding the Impact.”
- Participate in Red Shirt Day, Friday, November 21.
- Host a training or discussion in your school community.
- Use and share Finding Your Way in PA app to connect students and families with important local resources.
- Share our new Youth Human Trafficking Toolkit for Educators with school staff to help recognize and respond to youth who may be at risk.
- Review the Understanding Unaccompanied Homeless Youth Resource Guide, our latest resource for Pennsylvania schools and Homeless Liaisons.
Invite your school community to participate
Download ECYEH Awareness Week information flyer
Download our Wear Red Day flyer to post in your school or program.
Share our Bitly link to send people to this page: https://bit.ly/ECYEH-Week.
Use and share our digital content
To download, please click on the link and right-click “save image as” to save the image to your device.
Download our social media LinkedIn cover art.
Download our digital background to use during virtual meetings and events.
Download the social media images below to use in your posts and emails.
Participate in Red Shirt Day, Friday, November 21
On Friday, November 21, turn your school and community programs red to raise awareness for education for children and youth experiencing homelessness!
- Download #RedShirtDayPA flyer PDF.
- Take photos, selfies, videos, and share them on Facebook (tag @ECYEHPA), where we will also turn social media red!
- Create your own photobooth and take pictures #RedShirtDayPA.
- Share facts about children and youth experiencing homelessness on morning announcements each day.
- Host a toiletries drive. “Stuff the bus” with hygiene materials, food, clothing, blankets, etc.
Build a community – Share your schoolwide activities with us!
If you are posting information about your activities on social media, please tag our campaign accounts:
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/center-for-schools-and-communities/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ECYEHPA/
Please use our hashtags:
- #IWillBeYourVoice
- #ECYEHAwareness
- #LetsHaveAConversation
- #ECYEHImpact
- #RedShirtDayPA
- #Homelessness
Please use our Bitly link to send people to this page: https://bit.ly/ECYEH-Week.
Five sample key facts and social post content to share during ECYEH Awareness Week
- 1
Over 50,030 children and youth experiencing homelessness were identified in PA during the 2023-2024 school year. #IWillBeYourVoice #LetsHaveAConversation #ECYEHAwareness #Homelessness #ECYEHImpact
- 2
86% of identified children and youth experiencing homelessness in PA were enrolled in school in 2023-2024. School is a lifeline for housing insecure students. #IWillBeYourVoice #LetsHaveAConversation #Homelessness #ECYEHAwareness #ECYEHImpact
- 3
Students experiencing homelessness can face barriers to school enrollment and participation in school. We are committed to identifying, breaking down, and eliminating barriers to ensure equity for students. #IWillBeYourVoice #LetsHaveAConversation #Homelessness #ECYEHAwareness #ECYEHImpact
- 4
80% of students experiencing homelessness in PA remained in their school of origin, providing crucial stability. School stability matters for housing insecure students. #IWillBeYourVoice #ECYEHAwareness #Homelessness #ECYEHAwareness #ECYEHImpact
- 5
Students experiencing homelessness graduate at a lower rate than their housed peers. We are committed to supporting youth experiencing homelessness on their path to on-time graduation, despite the challenges they face. #IWillBeYourVoice #ECYEHAwareness #LetsHaveAConversation #Homelessness #ECYEHAwareness #ECYEHImpact
Source: 2023-2024 ECYEH Infographic