Willamette Chapter Helps Homeless Education Program Blossom

Young people learn CPR at the Discovery Club.

Everyday thousands of children in the state of Oregon are homeless. Like the Ortiz girls, high-schoolers who were homeless for 2 ½ years as a result of domestic violence. Thanks to the Homeless Education Program, the Ortiz's luck has changed and they and their mother are now established in an apartment.

The Homeless Education Program is offered by the Salem-Keizer public schools. For the past three years, the American Red Cross Willamette Chapter in Salem, Oregon has joined forces with the school system's program to offer the Discovery Club! for ages 5-12. The Discovery Club! provides elementary school students with enriching experiences such as field trips, summer camps, summer school programs and tutoring. A variety of books are available for free. As part of the Discovery Club, The Red Cross also teaches Life Skills 4 Kids - first aid, CPR, Babysitter's Training, Masters of Disaster, and Act SMART, an age-appropriate HIV/AIDS education program. The classes, which are often taught in homeless shelters, give children the opportunity to learn about personal safety, gain confidence and develop new skills that can help their families and themselves.

Ouch! Young first aiders practice bandaging skills.

Only nine years in operation, the Homeless Education Program has already reached more than 7,500 children. In the three years that the Red Cross has been participating, the chapter has taught life skills classes to more than 276 students.

Besides being settled in an apartment, the Ortiz family has blossomed from the benefits of the assistance program. Mrs. Ortiz is working full-time and attending classes at a community college. Her eldest daughter is a high school honors student and a peer educator for the Life Skills classes. When asked how she feels about being a peer educator, the younger Ms. Ortiz comments, "I like it, it's kind of cool how the little kids listen to what I say about being home alone and being safe."

For more information about the American Red Cross Willamette Chapter, visit their Web site.

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