Who is Eligible by Law?

All children and youth who don't have a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence, such as those living:

In an emergency or transitional shelter, with friends or relatives due to loss of housing or economic hardship (also known as doubled up)
In a motel, hotel, campground, car, bus or train station or other public place, an abandoned building
In inadequate accommodations, such as no utilities or running water, no working kitchen, infestations/mold/vermin, number of bodies vs. beds
As an Unaccompanied Youth, including youth who are not in the physical custody of a parent or guardian

NATIONAL HOMELESS YOUTH AWARENESS MONTH

Riley's Inspirational Journey: Overcoming Homelessness to Achieve Dreams

In a world where the journey from high school to college is often characterized by excitement and anticipation, Riley's story stands out as a testament to resilience, determination, and the support of caring individuals. As a college freshman today, Riley has overcome remarkable challenges, including homelessness throughout her high school years. Her inspiring journey from adversity to triumph not only reflects her personal strength but also underscores the crucial role played by dedicated adults who work with youth, especially McKinney-Vento Liaisons, in recognizing the signs of homelessness and connecting these students with vital resources.

Riley's early struggles were marked by the absence of basic necessities like a safe place to sleep, regular meals, and access to healthcare. Homelessness made it exceptionally difficult for her to focus on education as she grappled with daily uncertainty and instability. Her health needs often went unmet, and the emotional toll of isolation and vulnerability was profound. Amidst these challenges, Riley's school social worker, also the building McKinney-Vento liaison, Mrs. Gordon played a pivotal role in her life. Most significantly, she helped Riley navigate a system that pushed her to return to an unsafe environment. The MKV liaison connected her with critical resources, including healthcare and SNAP benefits, and assisted with transitioning Social Security benefits from the guardian to Riley. Mrs. Gordon fondly remembers Riley stating, “Her senior year, she was nominated for Homecoming queen and several staff members worked together to help support her in getting ready for that exciting event. Throughout all of her challenges, she never lost her smile, and it was shining brightly the night she was crowned Homecoming queen!”

Riley's remarkable journey led her to graduate from high school, become Homecoming Queen, and pursue her dream of becoming an English teacher in college. Her story highlights the importance of recognizing the signs of homelessness and the crucial role McKinney-Vento Liaisons play in connecting vulnerable students with essential resources. Riley shared how difficult it was to admit she needed help and asks all adults, “As soon as a teenager opens up about it. ‘Hey, I’m laying it all on the table, help me.’ I would like them to have the education of the situation, to know what to do to help.” By working together, we can empower homeless youth like Riley to overcome adversity and achieve their dreams, emphasizing that with determination and the right support system, any obstacle can be conquered.

Learn More about the McKinney-Vento Program

EDGE STUDENTS HOSTED BY CAFÉ BLOOM

The young entrepreneurs enrolled in the EDGE (Entrepreneurial Development, Growth and Education) regional program participated in the Annual Etiquette Breakfast. This activity was described as a good time of food, learning and growth. And the EDGE students took the opportunity to update their cover photo in the beautiful setting at Café Bloom where this educational opportunity is hosted annually.

Career Exploration Opportunities

ROE #21’s CTE Program partnered with Rend Lake College (RLC) on the 2023 Career Days Event held on October 17 and 18. Over 700 high school juniors and seniors from 12 Southern Illinois schools participated in Career Days. Each of the registered students were surveyed prior to the event regarding areas of interest for a possible future career. Data was collected and analyzed to place students in appropriate tour groups.

Students were welcomed in the RLC Event Center and were provided with an overview of the day; next, tour groups and guides were released one or two at a time to begin their hands-on Career Day activities. Tours lasted 1 hour and 45 minutes; each tour group visited multiple programs within various career clusters. For example, the AG/AUTO group visited labs for Agriculture, Agronomy, Truck Driver Training and Automotive Technology. The students observed demonstrations of state-of-the-art equipment and technology, interacted with the instructors and were impressed with the up-close-and-personal experiences. Several students took cards and literature provided by the instructors and some left their contact information with the instructors and tour guides to be shared with the proper RLC faculty or staff.

Following the tours, lunch was served to some hungry students; well over 200 large pizzas were consumed over the two-day event along with numerous snacks, water and sodas. Following the closing session back in the Event Center, the students were excited and appreciative of the experiences they shared at Rend Lake College.

ROE #21 was also busy planning to host their first annual ROE Career Fair on October 25 at the Marion Pavilion. CTE Program staff served on the Planning Committee and were active at the event. Many great business partners and community organizations worked together to provide excellent career awareness opportunities and connections for high school juniors and seniors.

Learn More About CTE Programs

ROE #21 Career Fair

Exploring Future Pathways: ROE #21 Career Fair Recap

The ROE #21 Career Fair was a resounding success, and it wouldn't have been possible without the enthusiastic participation of students, educators, professionals, and institutions from across our region. This event served as a beacon of opportunity for high school students, offering them a glimpse into the vast array of career pathways awaiting them beyond graduation.

Students had the chance to engage with professionals from diverse industries, gaining firsthand insights into the workings of various career fields. From healthcare and technology to finance and the arts, they explored the many avenues available for their future endeavors. This interaction not only expanded their knowledge but also inspired them to set ambitious career goals.

In addition to industry professionals, representatives from higher education institutions were on hand to guide students through the options available for furthering their education. This guidance will prove invaluable as students chart their paths toward college and beyond.

The success of the ROE #21 Career Fair is a testament to the commitment of our community in supporting our youth's educational and career aspirations. We extend our heartfelt thanks to all the organizations, professionals, and schools that made this event a reality.

As we look to the future, we remain dedicated to providing our students with the resources and opportunities they need to flourish in their chosen careers. Stay tuned for more exciting initiatives, and together, we can continue to light the way for our future leaders.

Mt. Vernon Conference

The 44th Annual Mt. Vernon Conference took place on Friday, October 27, 2023, at Mt. Vernon Township High School. This year's conference attracted more than 1400 teachers. The highlight of the event was the keynote speech delivered by Dave Burgess. The conference provided an opportunity for teachers to gather and exchange valuable insights and ideas in the field of education. The presence of Dave Burgess as the keynote speaker added to the excitement and learning experience for all attendees.

Congratulations to Jeff Bink and John Cox from the ROE #21 PACT Team for their selection to serve on the International Association for Truancy and Dropout Prevention (IATDP) Board of Directors for 2023-2024! It is an honor to have them contribute their expertise to such an important organization. The IATDP has a long-standing commitment to addressing truancy and dropouts, and Jeff and John will undoubtedly make valuable contributions to furthering their mission. We look forward to seeing the positive impact they will have in the coming years.

Food, Family and Fun Event

The ECHO Alternative School and STARQuest Academy Regional Safe School, together with the University of Illinois Extension Center (4-H), recently organized a Family, Food and Fun event on October 17th. The event was attended by four students and a total of 20 participants, including students and their families.

Thanks to the Community Partnership Grant, all the students and families received a crockpot, recipes, food to complete the recipe, and a gas card. The highlight of the event was when families came together to prepare and share a meal.

We are excited to announce that another event is scheduled for November 2, 2023, at ECHO. So far, we have 11 students registered, and we are expecting a total of 34 participants for the November 2nd event. Stay tuned for more details!

Teacher Appreciation Event

What an incredible experience it was at the ROE #21 Teacher Appreciation event with Hamish Brewer! His passion for teaching and dedication to students is truly inspiring. The event was filled with enthusiasm and positivity, as educators came together to celebrate the amazing work that teachers do every day. Hamish Brewer's energy was contagious, and his motivational words left a lasting impact on everyone in the stadium. It was a reminder of the importance of recognizing and appreciating the hard work and commitment of teachers. This event was a testament to the power of education and the incredible impact that teachers have on shaping the future. We are so grateful to have been a part of such an uplifting and inspiring event.

ROE #21 has been selected as a site for ISBE’s Listening Tour for the Draft Illinois State Literacy Plan. The session will be held in our ROE #21 Training Room in Marion on Monday, November 6, 2023, from 4:00pm-6:00pm.

Click HERE to Register!