Las Vegas Sun

December 4, 2008

Homeless Children

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Seven-year-old Mariah Velasquez and her parents, Tricia and Daniel Velasquez, found themselves homeless and eventually split up about a year ago. They’ve since been reunited.

Seven-year-old Mariah Velasquez and her parents, Tricia and Daniel Velasquez, found themselves homeless and eventually split up about a year ago. They’ve since been reunited. View photo »

Tricia Velasquez picks up her daughter, Mariah, 7, from a school bus stop in downtown Las Vegas. Hunger and insecurity often make children like Mariah grow sad, angry and unable to focus on their schoolwork. They frequently change schools, making academic progress more difficult.

Tricia Velasquez picks up her daughter, Mariah, 7, from a school bus stop in downtown Las Vegas. Hunger and insecurity often make children like Mariah grow sad, angry and unable to focus on their schoolwork. They frequently change schools, making academic progress more difficult. View photo »

Sunrise Acres Elementary kindergarten teacher Erica Phillipson has learned to spot homelessness in the Sunrise Acres cafeteria. She sees many of her kindergartners load up their trays at breakfast and lunch, since it may be the last meal they’ll have until they’re back in school the following morning. “When their primary needs aren’t met, how are they supposed to learn?” asks Phillipson, in her second year with the school district.

Sunrise Acres Elementary kindergarten teacher Erica Phillipson has learned to spot homelessness in the Sunrise Acres cafeteria. She sees many of her kindergartners load up their trays at breakfast and lunch, since it may be the last meal they’ll have until they’re back in school the following morning. “When their primary needs aren’t met, how are they supposed to learn?” asks Phillipson, in her second year with the school district. View photo »

HOPE program coordinator Myra Berkovits speaks to Sunrise Acres Elementary School teachers about some of the challenges of teaching homeless kids and asks for their help in identifying them.

HOPE program coordinator Myra Berkovits speaks to Sunrise Acres Elementary School teachers about some of the challenges of teaching homeless kids and asks for their help in identifying them. View photo »

Tricia and Daniel Velasquez get ready to leave Family Promise on Friday with daughter Mariah for the church they are sleeping in for the night. The program is helping the Velasquezes find work.

Tricia and Daniel Velasquez get ready to leave Family Promise on Friday with daughter Mariah for the church they are sleeping in for the night. The program is helping the Velasquezes find work. View photo »

Mariah Velasquez, 7, plays in the playroom at Family Promise in Las Vegas on Friday. The program is helping her reunited family.

Mariah Velasquez, 7, plays in the playroom at Family Promise in Las Vegas on Friday. The program is helping her reunited family. View photo »

Wed, Feb 13, 2008 (2 a.m.)

Hundreds of Clark County School District counselors and teachers are confronting a troubling trend as the number of homeless children in district schools now totals 3,529, up 55 percent in just over a year. The district has identified nearly 400 newly homeless students since January.

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