NLIT Summit McKinney-Vento Fundraiser

The NLIT Summit is fundraising to support the McKinney-Vento Program, which assists youth experiencing homelessness within local education systems across the United States. Assistance is provided via food, clothing, and vouchers for transportation. NLIT branded t-shirts are available for those contributing $20 or more.

Homelessness among families has increased considerably in recent years and is most often due to unexpected financial setbacks that create a situation where the family can no longer pay for their housing. Research indicates that the enriching experiences of a high-quality education can be especially beneficial for homeless children because they provide stability and daily routines that may otherwise be scarce in these children's lives.

The trauma of homelessness, severe poverty, and high mobility combine to wreak havoc on the academic progress of children and youth in school. According to a report issued by the U.S. Department of Education (2022-2023), more and more students continue to struggle with the burden of finding a stable place to live, and the number of homeless students in America has topped 1 million for the first time as a result of the prolonged economic recession. The largest and most important safety net for homeless children and youth is the public school system, which provides both basic services as well as the education that is necessary to avoid poverty as adults.