Pennsylvania’s Education for Students Experiencing Homelessness 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!
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Participate in Pennsylvania’s Students Experiencing Homelessness Awareness Week Student Art Contest! Students from across Pennsylvania are invited to create original artwork that shows the many ways students share their ideas, creativity, talents, perspectives, kindness, and hopes with others. The statewide winner and runners-up will be announced in January 2027. The statewide winning artwork will be featured at the 2027 Paving the Way Conference.
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Attend the Education for Students Experiencing Homelessness Awareness Week Capitol event in Harrisburg on Tuesday, Nov. 10.
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Register to attend our webinar, “The Power of Partnership: Connecting People, Systems, and Student Success”, held on Thursday, Nov. 12.
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Participate in Red Shirt Day, Friday, Nov. 20.
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Use and share Finding Your Way in PA app to connect students and families with important local resources.
Attend the Education for Students Experiencing Homelessness Awareness Week Capitol event in Harrisburg on Tuesday, Nov. 10
- Join colleagues and state representatives at the Pennsylvania State Capitol.
- Hear from state representatives and other guest speakers.
- Receive highlights from current legislation and policies.
- Network with other educators, youth-serving professionals, and Homeless Liaisons.
Location
Pennsylvania State Capitol, N. 3rd St., Harrisburg, PA, 17120
Schedule
- 10:00 AM: Event begins with a Press Conference in the Capitol Media Center.
- 11:00 AM: Panel presentation with state representatives in the Capitol Media Center.
Please contact Taylor Teichman, Youth Development Coordinator for the PA ECYEH Program at [email protected] for more information.
Participate in Red Shirt Day, Friday, November 20
On Friday, November 20, turn your school and community programs red to raise awareness for education for children and youth experiencing homelessness!
- 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 Schoolwide and Community Activities
Use any of the ideas below or create your own activity!
- 1Host a Walk in My Shoes Challenge. View this handout for an example of this activity challenge from Juniata County School District.
- 2Make the whole week a “Red Out Week“. Encourage staff to wear red all week. Have staff pay $1/day to wear jeans. Funds raised can be used when a McKinney-Vento student/family has a need. Make sure to receive permissions from your district. This can also be adapted for agencies and community organizations.
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Have a communication class or club record announcements with McKinney-Vento facts to be shared during morning or afternoon announcements every day.
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Host a toiletries drive or “stuff the bus” with hygiene materials, food, clothing, blankets, etc.
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Host a gift card drive to raise supplies and to provide support when a McKinney-Vento student/family has a need. This can also be adapted for agencies and community organizations.
- 6Have your school participate in this year’s Students Experiencing Homelessness Awareness Week Student Art Contest! Students can submit their artwork online AND display their artwork throughout your school buildings as part of an art gallery event.
- 7Create a prompt wall! Use butcher paper to line a wall in a common area, like the cafeteria, and have students and staff write or draw on it with a prompt. This can also be adapted for agencies and community organizations in a common area (i.e. hallways/kitchen area).
Prompt samples:
- If you could fill a student’s backpack… what would you give them to help them succeed?
- “What Home Means to Me”
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Physical Education classes host an In the Shoes of a Student Experiencing Unstable Housing steps challenge. Groups and competitions can be created amongst staff or students. Prizes can be determined by the district/agency/community organizations. To be inclusive, adapt steps to be any form of movement that would equate to how ever you would like to measure this in your school (i.e. 13,000 steps to represent 13th years of awareness week or to represent miles).
- 9District Homeless Liaison sends a daily email to all school staff and personnel, covering different topics related to homelessness and poverty. (i.e. McKinney-Vento definition, district data, local community data and housing costs, community resources and partnerships).
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Principals, Superintendent, or School Board or agency/community administrators make a resolution/proclamation during Awareness Week.
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.
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Download the social media images below to use in your posts and emails.
Key facts to share during ECYEH Awareness Week
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Over 52,347 children and youth experiencing homelessness were identified in Pennsylvania during the 2024-2025 school year.* #IWillBeYourVoice #LetsHaveAConversation #ECYEHAwareness #Homelessness #ECYEHImpact
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Did you know 1 in 6 children experiencing homelessness in Pennsylvania are 5 years of age or younger? Preschool-aged children experiencing homelessness face unique challenges, including disrupted early education, limited access to developmental services, and increased vulnerability to health and safety issues. Connect with early learning programs to find support and resources in your community!
- Early Learning Resources Centers (ELRC) | Department of Human Services | Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
- The Pennsylvania Head Start Collaboration Office (PA HSCO) – The Pennsylvania Key
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87% of identified children and youth experiencing homelessness in PA were enrolled in school in 2024-2025. School is a lifeline for housing insecure students.* #IWillBeYourVoice #LetsHaveAConversation #Homelessness #ECYEHAwareness #ECYEHImpact
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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
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79% of students experiencing homelessness in Pennsylvania remained in their school of origin, providing crucial stability. School stability matters for housing insecure students.* #IWillBeYourVoice #ECYEHAwareness #Homelessness #ECYEHAwareness #ECYEHImpact
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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: 2024-25 ECYEH Infographic