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The Burden of Poverty

A series on poverty in the schools and how it affects students’ learning. We examine the problems poverty creates for students and their families and the schools and strategies that are helping disadvantaged students succeed.

‘When we gain knowledge, we gain empathy’

Kenowa Hills Alexis Stark

Kenowa Hills district and building leaders participated in a poverty simulation designed to educate and teach empathy.

Bolstered by many while a student, this grad now supports others

Godfrey-Lee Erin Albanese

Jordan Poisson, who shared her story of growing up in poverty in 2014, is now a school counselor at Grand Rapids Public Schools.

‘Feed the kids’

Kent City Allison Poosawtsee

Michigan’s new Meals for Schools program is taking a big weight off staff and families in Kent City.

For once-homeless mother and daughter graduates, ‘dreams do come true’

Grads with Grit Erin Albanese

Ayjia Jones and her mother, Monique Williams, are both graduates of the Class of 2021. Their accomplishment comes after two years living in motels, searching for housing and pathways to stability...

Schools, organizations step up to feed students, families

All Districts Joanne Bailey-Boorsma

Area schools continue to provide free grab and go meals at regular distribution events and community partners are helping to fill in the gaps to make sure everyone is fed during a very challenging time...

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Student homelessness tied to lack of affordable housing

Homeless, with Homework Brett Atwood

AJ, 16, is one of nearly 2,500 students in Kent County who are homeless. She is one of many young people affected by the lack of affordable and available housing...

A and B student strives for success, from a motel room

Homeless, with Homework Erin Albanese

A homeless Kent County teen talks about stressors, family, schoolwork and life in a motel...

‘It’s more than just me’

Homeless, with Homework Erin Albanese

He couch-surfed as a homeless teen. Now Ja-Quari Moore-Bass works with other youth to help create a blueprint for housing that combines shelter with mentorship and a plan for success...

‘I would love to have a house that I own where my kids could play outside’

Homeless, with Homework Erin Albanese

Local coalition’s research shows one in seven African American children in Kent County were in the homeless system in 2018...

Living in cars, campers, motels and ‘doubled-up,’ homeless students struggle to succeed

Homeless, with Homework Erin Albanese

Schools -- urban, suburban and rural -- are seeing increased numbers of homeless students and fewer options for housing because of high rents and scarce vacancies...

‘We didn’t notice they’re gone’

Homeless, with Homework Charles Honey

A West Side resident with two children in Grand Rapids Public Schools, Jim Davis worries about the families who can’t afford to live in that booming area and the impact on schools...

Overcoming homelessness to get her degree, she’s ready to help others

Grads with Grit Erin Albanese

Jordan Lovett, once homeless, graduated from Grand Valley State University with a bachelor’s degree in social work. She is eager to advocate for others facing similar struggles to her own...

Got Breakfast?

All Districts Erin Albanese

Just after the morning school bell rings, West Kelloggsville Elementary School teacher Joy Howard calls up her kindergartners one-by-one to hand them breakfast. They...

Report: Are We Caring for Our Children? Not Well Enough

All Districts Charles Honey

When Carol Paine-McGovern sees child poverty continuing to rise in Kent County, she takes some comfort in the work local schools and their communities...

Wanted: A House We Can Afford

Lowell Morgan Jarema

Dawn Broene is well aware of the challenges of finding affordable housing in the Lowell area. Breone, director of Flat River Outreach Ministries, said the...

Brain Games: Focusing on Memory to Reduce Effects of Poverty

Kelloggsville Erin Albanese

Second-grade teacher Patrick Sokol is working to close gaps in achievement seen in students raised in poverty, and he's zeroing in on helping students...

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School News Network reports on the 20 public school districts in Kent ISD, which enroll more than 102,000 students. Founded in 2013 as an initiative of Kent ISD, we are supported by local districts and community sponsors, and powered by an experienced team of reporters, editors and multimedia journalists. We specialize in covering classroom teaching and learning, analyzing the many issues facing students and highlighting the education magic that happens each day in our public schools.

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The Burden of Poverty

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