Children at the area shelter were provided an evening of storytelling through the grant's collaboration. A partnership has been formed with career education services and Project Extra Step to provide supplies and services. Other services often provided include information regarding free breakfast and lunch programs, after-school programs, Head Start programs, special student services, etc. These services are provided to all three shelters and to motels and transitional housing. This program operates out of The Women s Resource Center of the New River Valley, a regional domestic violence shelter for women and children who are victims of domestic violence and sexual assault.
Services are free and are rendered in two general settings.
First, direct instruction is provided for all school-aged children who are staying at the Women s Resource Center s Shelter. Schools treat students as if they are homebound and are counted as present in their home schools. Books and assignments are gathered from classroom teachers and students are tutored at the shelter. Teachers offer both individualized instruction and emotional support to traumatized children who can t begin to learn until they feel safe. Additionally, advocacy and educational support services are provided to all reported homeless children and youth throughout the region.