Homeless with Homework

Kids Need to Feel Support, says Principal Ben Shuldiner

Posted on 05. May, 2010 by Vineeth Thomas in THE RIGHT TO AN EDUCATION

by Vineeth Thomas

Ben Shuldiner has been principal of the High School for Public Service in Brooklyn since it opened seven years ago. Aware of how important it is to provide support to homeless students, he talked to us about the efforts of the school to do so.

“We support those students as much as we possibly can,” he said.  “One of the things we pride ourselves on is our advisory program. Each child is given an adult who will be with them for four years – they help in housing, healthcare – making sure that everything is okay.”

Though Shuldiner says his school gives a lot of support to homeless youth, he acknowledges the school system can face difficulties in addressing all their needs: being aware is not enough.

“You’re given this list but homelessness is a large issue,” he said.  “They are not all tracked by the city.”

Shuldiner talks about the general effects of a bad economy, a major factor in homelessness, on his students:
[audio:http://cdn.journalism.cuny.edu/blogs.dir/24/files/2010/05/general-econ.mp3]

Shuldiner talks about what it’s like for students who don’t have their own home and space to work, and the support that his school and others offer their students:
[audio:http://cdn.journalism.cuny.edu/blogs.dir/24/files/2010/05/general-effects-and-support.mp3]

Tags: Ben Shuldiner, High School for Public Service, homeless, policy, principal, students