In Oregon, 22,336 public school students reported being homeless or were couch surfing or living in motels in the 2019-2020 school year, according to data collected by the U.S. Department of Education.

Last year, the Oregon Department of Human Services conducted a needs assessment, specific to homeless youth, and found that there are over 8,000 unhoused individuals in Oregon that are under the age of 24.

Being a kid and going through school can already be challenging. These challenges are even more so compounded by homelessness and poverty. That is why we strive to provide brand new school supplies for the kids that rely on Rose Haven.

While adequate school supplies are necessary, these items are quite expensive and cannot be purchased with food stamps. Each year the local community rallies so that Rose Haven can provide brand new school supplies and eliminate these types of barriers for kids in need. We can’t do this alone, and we need your help to help restore dignity to families in our community.

Let alone the difficulty of finding equitable and accessible family resources, these kids experience barriers within our public education system and government assistance programs. Please help us spread the word. Put out a collection bin at your work, school, gym or place of worship and help us collect brand new school supplies this summer.