No Child left outside Summit

There are over 2,000 homeless youth in the Distict of Columbia and families represent 30% of our total homeless population.  They each have a story to tell, and ignoring them is no longer an option.  Now is the time to listen, and to act...

Sponsored by the Downtown Cluster of Congregations and Wesley Theological Seminary, the No Child Left Outside summit will work to rally Washington’s faith community in support of the needs of our homeless children who are trying to succeed in DC public schools.

Projections vary, but in 2009 the District of Columbia Public Schools estimated that there are more than 1,200 students in their system struggling with homelessness. These young people are at much higher risk for dropping out of school, suffering from long- term unemployment, and entering the criminal justice system.  Currently our city government is unable to mobilize the resources necessary to meet the needs of these most vulnerable young people.

The No Child Left Outside Summit will equip clergy and laity to leverage the assets of their faith community in support of meeting the needs of these children.  Action sessions will provide attendees with tools and skills to take back to their congregations. The Summit will charter ongoing working groups that will continue mobilize resources in support of these children.

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Equipping People to Make a Difference Navigating the Section 8 program – connecting property owners with opportunities for their rental units to serve homeless families. Establishing Mentoring Relationships – organizing faith communities to support homeless families. Establishing Networks of Service Providers - where are people slipping through the cracks, and how can Washington's faith community make a difference?

Developing Relationships The No Child Left Outside Summit will bring together key stakeholders from: • DC Public Schools • DC Housing Authority • Members of the DC Inter-Agency Council on Homelessness • Leaders in the Washington nonprofit community • Leaders from Washington’s diverse faith community • Over 50 churches and congregations

Building Momentum Bringing key stakeholders together, across city agencies, the nonprofit sector, and the faith community, is essential to developing innovative approaches to meeting the needs of homeless children in the District of Columbia’s public schools.

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