That certainly isn't the only situation. Homeless is defined by STEP to include runaways, castaways, doubled-up families, or any individual who lacks a fixed, regular and adequate residence. Teachers, friends, and social workers may observe absence, frequent illness, lack of appropriate clothing, and fatigue in homeless students. STEP, which is still a fledgling program, is funded by various statewide and local grants. The program targets students in the Traverse City Area Public Schools, and provides them with educational supplies, as well as references to shelters such as Goodwill or the Women's Resource Center.
Kids feel some sense of relief.
The program was inspired by a massive increase in the number of documented homeless children in the Grand Traverse Area, which climbed to well over 200 in 1998. Angie Kirby, a grant writer and evaluator of STEP, worked in cooperation with Kip Diotte, Goodwill director, Pat Lewallen, special programs principal, along with others to produce the guidelines of STEP and fund it. Money raised goes towards tutors, back packs, tennis shoes, and various other school supplies for homeless students. One of the many goals is to eventually receive funding for a children's shelter in the Grand Traverse Area. In the past, homeless children have often been labeled as special education, and not tracked or documented, much less offered a way out, said Peltola.