McKinney-Vento Hosting Community Event Saturday

YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio – The McKinney-Vento Homeless Children and Youth Program at the Youngstown City School District is hosting the Ubuntu compassion and humanity community resource event on Feb. 19 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., in the commons area of the Choffin Career and Technical Center at 200 W. Wood Street.

Ubuntu is rooted in African culture and represents the idea of showing compassion, reciprocity, dignity, harmony and humanity in the interests of building and maintaining community with justice and mutual caring.

The McKinney-Vento Program, an initiative from the State of Ohio, is designed to ensure that all children and youth, including preschoolers, have equal access to free and appropriate public education as non-homeless children and youth.

The McKinney–Vento Homeless Assistance Act of 1987 defines homeless children and youths as individuals who lack a fixed, regular and adequate nighttime residence. In the 2019-2020 school year, Ohio had 23,885 students experiencing homelessness, according to the Ohio Department of Education.

YCSD students, their families and the public are welcome to attend and hear from a number of speakers, including Sonya Bentley, chief engineer Ford Motor Co., children’s book authors and representatives from the educational and health care fields.

Community-based organizations will be on hand to offer information on domestic violence, housing, academic, and social and emotional wellness. There will also be a special performance by the Warren-based Artistically U Dance Co.

For more information about the program or event, contact McKinney-Vento Assistant Liaison Garrick Matlock at 330 742 2215.

Photo by Pavel Danilyuk from Pexels

Published by The Business Journal, Youngstown, Ohio.