TAMPA, Fla. — The Hillsborough County School District has expressed concern over the increasing number of homeless students. Last school year, Hillsborough County Public Schools reported that thousands of students fell under the definition of homeless.
However, agencies and nonprofits in Tampa Bay are proactively working to prevent these students from falling behind in their studies.
Caroline Kelley, a 17-year-old Berkeley Prep student, founded Heart for the Homeless Tutoring to provide academic assistance to unsheltered students from 5th to 12th grade in subjects such as math, science, Spanish and history.
Caroline was inspired by her parents’ efforts to help the less fortunate and decided to take action herself. She relies on word of mouth and flyers to promote her free tutoring services.
“I know that there's a lot of children in homeless shelters right now, and especially that have different resources given to them by the shelters, thankfully. A good way to target homeless families is through Metropolitan and through shelters like Metropolitan,” said Caroline.
She also wants to reach students who are not living in shelters but still might need help.
Hillsborough County Public Schools reportedly ended last school year with 4,267 of its students considered homeless.
- 2,748 are sharing households with other families
- 926 are living in hotels
- 322 are in shelters
- 271 are sleeping in cars overnight
Caroline says such circumstances can take a toll on a child’s health and can cause them to fall behind in class.
She was awarded a $1,000 grant by Berkeley Prep to expand her tutoring program.
“I just grew up doing that my whole life. And knowing that if there is a way to help people, then you should find a way,” said Caroline.
Through her nonprofit, she’s found a way.
Caroline says she’s happy to be a part of success stories in the community.
She says it’s confirmation that her program is having an impact.
“It makes me feel really good because I get to know that something that I do helps other people and especially helps people that are less fortunate than most people in Tampa,” she said.
Upon graduation, Caroline wants to further her own education to become a full-time teacher.
She feels that her tutoring program has given her a head start, allowing her to progress from theory to practice.
Along with the help of Harvard University volunteers, Caroline has also founded a job search app for the homeless.
The app connects this population with Tampa businesses that are willing to hire the homeless.