There are an estimated 3.5 million homeless people living in the US, 1.5 million of whom are children. Along with the stresses that come with instability, moving in and out of shelters, these kids also have to deal with getting through school.

This piece explores what many homeless children face when they try to go to school, from basic problems like having to track their school records as they move around, to the persistent stress of having to deal with teachers and peers who do not understand, and even make fun of, their situation. Members of a youth advocacy group in New York talk about their personal experiences, and we hear from a woman in Los Angeles who has started a program to help alleviate some of these problems.

This piece is available from the Public Radio Exchange.

This piece aired nationally on February 15, 2005 as part of The Homelessness Marathon. It aired August 16, 2006 on WAMC, April 22, 2007 on WFUV and September 15, 2007 on Marfa Public Radio.

Producer: Sarah Elzas and Sarah Kramer

Recorded in New York, NY