The Need

Homeless Kids In The OC

An estimated 22,000 children in Orange County are homeless. Amongst Orange County’s nearly 3 million people, their young faces are rarely seen.

But homelessness is just one plight of these silent and unseen lives. Moving unnoticed from one rented room to another, very often in rundown motels and community shelters, they also face a kind of starvation that few of us know: starvation of the mind. Due to their transitory lifestyle, homeless children routinely experience gaps in their education, leaving them years behind their more fortunate peers. This not only threatens their academic achievement, but also creates a barrier to self-confidence that leaves them without hope for a better tomorrow. Getting a quality education is a means for these children to transition into mainstream society and escape the merciless cycle of poverty.

Unfortunately, poverty and homelessness in Orange County are on the rise. With the downturn in the economy, costly housing and job losses have driven thousands to the streets. With nowhere to turn for help, homeless parents and their school-aged children often find themselves desperate for the basic necessities of life and learning.

The mission of the Project HOPE School is to provide an exceptional academic environment that empowers homeless and economically vulnerable children to achieve their fullest potential.