For students experiencing homelessness, school is sometimes the main source of food, stability, opportunity, and hope during a time of intense uncertainty. Without school, students face major setbacks in academic progress, social development, and emotional well-being.
Project Teach, the countywide homeless services program operated by the Sacramento County Office of Education (SCOE), supports students in many ways, including through its annual Shelter Outreach Program. The effort, which launched in 2019, delivers baskets of supplies to shelters each summer and fall. The baskets contain basic school supplies, activity books, and essentials like socks and water bottles—needs the shelter staff have specifically identified. The goal is to help children feel supported, engaged, and ready to learn. SCOE also provides printed guides with information about programs, offers training for shelter staff, and works to connect families to school resources.
Yene Wolteji from the local Bridging Initiatives International shelter—one of the locations receiving education supplies—said that SCOE’s contribution is “immense” and has made a huge difference to clients. “We are incredibly grateful and deeply appreciate your support,” Wolteji said. She explained that she and the staff have noticed how helpful the baskets of supplies are, especially at providing “engaging activities that help reduce screen time, fostering healthy mental and physical development.”
Steep Rise in Students Experiencing Homelessness
State enrollment data released in June shows that students identified as homeless in California have reached record levels, totaling more than 230,000 students. That’s a 9.3% increase over the 2024 state numbers. In Sacramento County, the rise was even steeper: a 19.1% increase to 11,154 students.
One of the most concerning trends is the growing number of students living in shelters. From the 2022–23 to 2023–24 school year, Sacramento experienced an 85.4% increase in this category, with students of color accounting for 78% of those counted.
“Every number in these statistics represents a student with dreams, talents, and potential,” said Channa Pitt, Ph.D., SCOE Assistant Superintendent of Educational Services. “Project Teach is working diligently to make sure homelessness doesn’t stand in their way.”
Successful Program Faces Proposed Federal Cuts
As homelessness among students continues to rise across California, homeless education programs face an alarming threat: elimination of the federal Education for Homeless Children and Youth funding that sustains them. Without renewed funding, critical work like the Shelter Outreach Program could leave thousands of children without resources at a time when the need has never been greater.
Project Teach is looking for new funding sources through grants and community agencies. For more information, please call (916) 228-2542.