Embracing Change

"May every Word that is ever spoken by our mouths be words that lift up, and never words that tear down." -?Unknown

Dear?Friends,

When I was welcomed into the HCEF family in March, team members--one in particular--started me on a journey of learning a new language. Over coffee one afternoon, Patience Baker introduced the term “McKinney-Vento student population.” As our Teen Outreach Advocate, Patience sees firsthand how words can limit and stigmatize our students. Therefore, it was essential to her that I understand why we use the terms McKinney-Vento and Housing Instability and not just homeless when describing our students’ temporary circumstances

So, who are McKinney-Vento students?

Well, my son Caleb was a McKinney-Vento student. When we moved back to Pittsburgh, I needed to stay?with my mother for a few months until I could get our housing settled. A school friend of mine was a McKinney-Vento student because he needed a place to sleep when he had to leave his home. With his mom’s permission, he stayed on our sofa for most of the school year.

A student I taught whose mother had to leave the country unexpectedly?was a McKinney-Vento student because her family living in the US couldn’t provide her a permanent, stable residence. We put her in an emergency shelter for a few days. Then she had to stay two nights with sis, one night with auntie, so on and so forth. Would the term “Homeless,” or what we think homelessness is, accurately describe the students’ situations in all these scenarios?

As I continue this journey, I’m excited to welcome you inside to see, experience, and learn with me. My communique to you will be filled with?all the new discoveries I will make while helping to lead this fantastic organization and learn my new language.

AJ Jefferson, Executive Director