Homeless teens will get a boost toward college with a donation from the Sun Lakes Breakfast Lions Club. Kay Glantz of Sun Lakes (right) awards a $500 check for scholarships to Carolyn Larsen of Sun Lakes and Diane Burrus of Assistance League of East Valley’s Scholarship Committee.
Sarah Auffret
Increasing numbers of homeless teenagers are enrolled in East Valley school districts, some of them staying with a relative, others “couch surfing” at friends’ homes, seeking a place to lay their heads at night. A few are living in shelters or in cars.
The reasons are many: Parents lose their jobs and are evicted, some are incarcerated, illness takes a toll, family support weakens or disappears.
Assistance League of East Valley has begun assisting these children with a program for homeless teens in the Chandler and Gilbert School Districts. Both districts have dedicated liaisons who work with the teens to help them stay in school. Last year 591 young people were without stable lodging or were completely on their own.
In addition to food and supplies, Assistance League is now providing college scholarships for promising young people in the program. Two homeless students who graduated from high school last spring are now attending college and are receiving awards of $1,000 a semester for four semesters. Both are excelling in their classes.
Sun Lakes Breakfast Lions Club recently donated $500 toward the scholarship fund for homeless students. Assistance League has selected three more students to receive the scholarships, starting this fall.
“We are so grateful to the Breakfast Lions Club for supporting this worthwhile program,” said Ibis Valles, president of Assistance League of East Valley. “These young people have struggled so much. Helping them reach their dream of attending college will make a big difference in their lives.”
Last month, Assistance League members donated for the teens 10 bags of teen clothing, six bags of hygiene products, piles of microwave foods and snacks, water bottles, underwear, and socks. In cold weather the teens receive blankets and hoodies. They also receive gift cards for bus transportation and emergency food.
Assistance League of East Valley also provides clothing for needy elementary school children, college scholarships for graduating students at East Valley Institute of Technology, assault survivor kits for hospitals and police/fire agencies, and monthly socials at an adult day care center.
The Assistance League Thrift Shop, 2326 N. Alma School in Chandler, is an upscale outlet that provides much of the funding, in addition to grants and donations from the community. Hours for the shop are Wednesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.