Helping Homeless Teens Graduate from High School
The goal of the Student Assistance Program is to keep the doors of opportunity open for our youth by helping at-risk teenagers complete their high school education.

Whether forced or fleeing from home, dozens of teenagers struggle to stay in school while living on their own. Without the emotional and financial support they need, too many young people give up, drop out, and settle for dead-end jobs. For many Kansas City area teenagers, the Student Assistance Program makes the difference between giving up and graduating.

Target Areas:

Academic Success - by providing support that helps youth stay in school, graduate and prepare for life after graduation

Financial Stability - by providing a monthly stipend to assist with living expenses as well as resource referrals for additional financial assistance, employment opportunities and other needs

Healthy Lifestyles - through psychosocial education, linkages to health-related resources and the provision of mental health counseling

Eligibility
Students must:

• Not be living with or being supported by his/her parents
• Be committed to finishing high school
• Maintain at least a "C" average
• Maintain regular attendance at school
• Be nominated by a school counselor or social worker
• Attend monthly case management meetings

Students are referred to the Student Assistance Program by school counselors and social workers.

Results
Despite their challenges and lack of parental support, over 80 percent of participating Student Assistance Program seniors graduate. Many continue on to college or technical training.

Overall, 90 percent of the teenagers enrolled in the Student Assistance Program achieve positive outcomes - staying in school, earning acceptable grades and attending regular case management meetings.

Services
Therapeutic Case Management Services - case workers provide regular, ongoing support that helps youth stay in school, graduate and prepare for life after graduation. Case workers provide important community resource and referral information and assist with problem solving. The case worker also provides emotional support and advocates for the student with the school and other community agencies.

Financial Assistance - the program helps youth increase financial stability by providing a monthly stipend (usually $100 a month) and providing resource referrals for additional financial assistance, employment opportunities or other needs such as transportation/bus passes, savings accounts or housing options.

Education and Advocacy - psychosocial education is provided to students about issues such as intimate partner violence, date rape, drugs and alcohol. Education and support with goal planning, budgeting and post-graduate options is also given. Additional information and assistance is provided to program participants in the form of newsletters that include relevant and topical issues.

Professional Counseling - students in need of mental health counseling are offered individual or group counseling free of charge by staff of The Family Conservancy. Case workers may help students seek out alternative mental health resources as needed.

Parenting Support - since approximately 25 percent of the participants are teen parents, the Student Assistance Program also supports the healthy development of their children through support of the teen parent and linkages to appropriate programs and resources.

Tamara's Story
Tamara's father died two years ago. Her mother is a drug addict, negligent and abusive. After her junior year, 17-year-old Tamara left home to live with her aunt. Her aunt lost her job shortly after and struggled to keep the family fed, clothed and sheltered. The Student Assistance Program and part-time work made it possible for Tamara to help hold the household together. Today Tamara is benefiting from professional counseling for her grief over her family, and is completing her senior year.

Program Availability
The program is available during the school year from September through May. Referrals are gathered in September to fill the number of spots available, depending on current funding sources. Available spots are typically filled by mid-October and a waiting list is maintained for any openings. 

Program Support
The Student Assistance Program depends on financial support from the community. Current supports include the Downtown Kansas City and Division IV Kiwanis Clubs, the United Way of Greater Kansas City, the Truman Heartland Foundation and other donors.

Learn how to donate to the Student Assistance Program or view our agency's Wish List.  

Program History
The Student Assistance Program evolved from Kiwanis Boysville, a 1947 initiative by local Kiwanis Clubs to fill a gap in long-term care for homeless boys. In collaboration with The Family Conservancy, Kiwanis Clubs launched a program of foster home and group home care that lasted for two decades. In 1967, as other avenues opened for homeless and abandoned children, the focus shifted to older, working students who demonstrate drive and responsibility but have trouble making ends meet.

For more information about Student Assistance referrals or opportunities to support the program, call Linda Stiles, LMSW at 913.287.1300, ext. 1516 or send an email.