IN THE COUNTY LEGISLATURE OF JACKSON COUNTY, MISSOURI
Title
A RESOLUTION recognizing the Kansas City Public School District, the Grandview C-4 School District, the Center School District, and Lion House of OUR SPOT KC, for their work with homeless youth as part of the designation of November as National Homeless Youth Awareness Month.
Intro
RESOLUTION NO. 21465, November 6, 2023
INTRODUCED BY Donna Peyton, County Legislator
Body
WHEREAS, in 2007 Congress passed its first resolution recognizing November as National Homeless Youth Awareness Month to build awareness of the issue of youth homelessness, including its causes and potential solutions, and highlight the need to work to prevent homelessness among children and teens; and,
WHEREAS, it is estimated that one in 30 youth ages 13 to 24 and one in 10 young adults ages 18 to 25 in the United States experience some form of homelessness over the course of a year; and,
WHEREAS, U.S. public schools enroll more than one million children and youth experiencing homelessness each school year; and,
WHEREAS, nearly 4% of children and youth in Missouri experience homelessness in each year; and,
WHEREAS, a disproportionate number of youths experiencing homelessness are members of historically underserved populations, including youth of color and LGBTQIA+ youth; and,
WHEREAS, youth experiencing homelessness on their own are more likely to be victims of physical and sexual abuse, labor or sex trafficking, and other forms of exploitation; and,
WHEREAS, students experiencing homelessness continue to face challenges due to high levels of school mobility, residential mobility, educational disruption, unmet basic needs, and homelessness-related trauma and stress; and,
WHEREAS, youth without a high school credential are 346% more likely to experience homelessness than their peers who complete high school; and,
WHEREAS, the County Legislature aims to bring greater awareness of the challenges and needs experienced by children, youth, and families experiencing homelessness and the resources available to address those challenges and needs; and,
WHEREAS, schools and organizations across the country, particularly the Kansas City Public Schools, the Grandview C-4 School District, the Center School District, and Lion House of OUR SPOT KC, continue to bring greater awareness to the issue of youth homelessness; and,
WHEREAS, the County Legislature applauds the efforts of businesses, organizations, and volunteers dedicated to meeting the needs of children, youth, and families experiencing homelessness, and grow the commitment to intensify efforts to prevent and end homelessness among young people in the United States; now therefore,
BE IT RESOLVED by the County Legislature of Jackson County, Missouri that the Legislature hereby recognizes November as National Homeless Youth Awareness Month and applauds the efforts of the Kansas City Public Schools, the Grandview C-4 School District, the Center School District, and Lion House of OUR SPOT KC to combat youth homelessness in our area; and,
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Legislature requests the citizens of Jackson County recognize the unique challenges and needs of children, youth, and families experiencing homelessness and commit to increasing both awareness of the issues impacting these children, youth, and families and their commitment to helping these children, youth, and families succeed.
Enacted and Approved
Effective Date: This Resolution shall be effective immediately upon its passage by a majority of the Legislature.
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
____________________________
County Counselor
Certificate of Passage
I hereby certify that the attached resolution, Resolution No. 21465 of November 6 2023, was duly passed on November, 2023 by the Jackson County Legislature. The votes thereon were as follows:
Yeas _______9________ Nays ______0________
Abstaining ____0_____ Absent _____0_______
________________________ ____________________________
Date Mary Jo Spino, Clerk of Legislature