Building a better life for the homeless children
in the Grand Prairie Independent School District

We have a ♥ for children

Dallas Morning News
August, 20, 2006
by Libby Clawson

More than 1,200 students in the Grand Prairie Independent School District are classified as homeless – sleeping in the family car, living in run-down hotels or doubled up with relatives or friends.

Others are at risk for eviction from their homes.

In 1999, Christine Gonzalez started work as the Connections Program coordinator, the school district's point person in a federal program that provides services to homeless students. She quickly realized there were very limited housing resources for the families.

Angela Giessner got involved in 2003. She pulled together local agencies, interested businesses, organizations, churches and individuals to see how they could help. A board of directors was formed, and LifeLine Shelter for Families placed its first family in an apartment in December 2003.

According to Kathy Severance, LifeLine case manager, the Connections Program helps identify children in need.

The school district provides for the students' academic needs. LifeLine provides for the families' housing needs and directs them to local agencies that can provide additional services – including food and clothing, counseling, government assistance programs, budgeting and life skills, and job training and placement.

LifeLine families get assistance for one to three months, including housing in local apartments. They return to paying their own bills at the end of the program.

"If their situation is so complex that they need more assistance than we can give, we refer them to the proper agency, and if domestic violence is suspected, they are referred to Brighter Tomorrows Women's Shelter," Ms. Severance said.

LifeLine has helped 28 families this year and has sheltered 216 children and their families since 2003. Following the LifeLine intervention, 90 percent of the families have maintained independent housing. One client is in training to be a dental assistant, and two others are preparing to study criminal justice.

Just this week, LifeLine came to the aid of a single mother with two children who lost her job and was being evicted from her home. LifeLine and Connections Program staff placed the family in a local hotel for the week, and are making arrangements for an apartment and a new job.

LifeLine is also helping an expectant mother on bed rest whose husband recently left her. LifeLine will take care of her housing expenses. Her daughter will be able to stay in school and has been referred to the Children First Counseling Agency. The Texas Workforce Commission placed the mother in its program for schooling and job training.

LifeLine Shelter is an ongoing service project for Soroptimist International of Grand Prairie. It is funded through donations, fundraising and grants.

"We appreciate the support and participation of the social service agencies represented on our board," Ms. Giessner said. "The cooperation among agencies is notable in Grand Prairie. We don't want to duplicate services, so we direct clients to the services available to them."

LifeLine Shelter for Families needs cash, furniture, household cleaning products, personal hygiene items, and bath and bedroom linens

Reprinted by permission of Dallas Morning News and Libby Clawson