Roanoke student homeless numbers down this year after community donations

ROANOKE – Many of you have given donations to help the hundreds of homeless students in Roanoke City schools.

Reese Betton is leaving a legacy as she gets ready to graduate from high school. There are about 100 less homeless students in Roanoke City Schools this year, thanks to her leadership.

"I don't feel like anybody deserves to not have a home because school is hard enough, especially if you don't have anywhere to lay your head and a place to call your own," said Betton.

When she found out there were more than 600 homeless students in Roanoke City Schools, Betton started the STAR Council --- Students Taking Action in Roanoke. They've raised about $18,000 over the last two years with fundraisers like a pancake breakfast, pie sale and t-shirts.
 
"It's just wonderful to see the community get together and help when people are in need," said Betton.

The school system thinks the biggest impact is its partnership with the city of Roanoke.  When a family becomes homeless, Roanoke City's Central Intake directs them to certain services and agencies like bus tokens, credit repair and housing searches.

After all the community resources have been exhausted, families can then turn to the school system's Help the Homeless Fund to help pay for things like an utility bill or rent to prevent eviction.  $8,709 has helped 61 families with a total of 134 students. 

"This is not OK for a kindergartner or a senior. We want to make sure that our students have a place to live and food on their table. We really want to remove barriers so they can get the best education they can," said Hayley Poland, Roanoke City Schools homeless coordinator who is proud of Betton and others who are making a difference.

"Sometimes the best ideas come from our students because they see really what their friends struggle with, they see their peers in the classroom and they have that ability and leadership. We just have to be there to support them instead of taking control," said Poland.

As Betton goes onto Virginia Western Community College, she plans to stay involved and hopes others do the same.