In case you missed it, earlier in the month Senator Patrick Leahy wrote an editorial highlighting the perils facing Vermont’s homeless children and some of the efforts being done to curb the problem. From the Burlington Free Press:
The frigid New Year weather that has gripped Vermont and much of the nation is a challenge to each of us in our everyday lives. At times like these we can begin to imagine the day by day, life-or-death perils facing the homeless children and adults in our communities.
We think of those young Vermonters among us who may not have families to go home to, or warm places to escape the bitter cold. It is a sad reality that here in Vermont and in urban and rural communities across the country, rates of homelessness are on the rise. We must redouble our commitment and our efforts to helping those less fortunate than we are, including support for the most vulnerable among us, homeless children.
We can be proud of all that Vermonters do to help all of our children, including the great work of the Vermont Coalition of Runaway & Homeless Youth Programs (VCRHYP), which has been serving homeless young people for the last 32 years. In 2012 alone, 825 youths in Vermont were able to find shelter, totaling 25,024 nights. I am thankful that we have such talented and dedicated professionals here in Vermont providing these vital services.
Read the full article online here or in PDF format.
