After8toEducate helping most vulnerable

By Ara Grimaldo Saintus

The mission of After8toEducate is to improve life outcomes and promote self-sufficiency by giving unsheltered high school students a safe place and offering education as a pathway out of homelessness and poverty.

The money raised from North Texas Giving Day will allow After8toEducate to stock its clothing closet, provide additional hygiene products, school supplies and food for the food pantry.

After8toEducate recognizes each unsheltered youth as a whole individual with the potential to overcome all aspects of homelessness, not just one. With more families experiencing homelessness due to the effects of COVID-19 in the past year, it is crucial that students have access to shelter, safety and support. To continue operations, as well as continue to provide the resources the youth need during this pandemic, every donation made to After8toEducate goes a long way. 

The organization aims to beat its Giving Day goal from last year and raise $30,000 this year. Donors can give now during early giving through Giving Day on Sept. 23, 6 a.m. to midnight at northtexasgivingday.org/after8toeducate .

After8toEducate defines homelessness as lacking a fixed, regular and adequate nighttime residence. Prior to COVID-19, an estimate of more than 4,000 students at Dallas ISD were experiencing homelessness. 

With the pandemic, the organization estimates the number of youth experiencing homelessness or unstable living conditions has increased. After8toEducate is tackling this most vulnerable population of unsheltered high school students by bringing together community resources all under one roof at the Fannie C. Harris Youth Center. 

The youth need not only a bed, but mental health resources, job connections, financial assistance, transportation means and a sense of security. The first client served at the Drop-In Center was referred by another nonprofit organization, who found him wandering in front of a hotel. 

The Drop-In Center responded by addressing the client’s immediate needs first. Upon arrival, he took a shower, washed his clothes and had the chance to meet with a case manager. 

The case managers were able to contact his family, and after having an extended conversation with both parties, the young man was able to return home to stay with his mother. 

It has since been reported that he is currently employed at a local restaurant in South Dallas. With the continued resources at After8toEducate, the organization hopes to assist more unsheltered youth reconnect with their family, continue school, find employment and create a plan of sustainability, so they can prosper in this continuously changing environment. 

In addition to the funds raised on Giving Day, After8toEducate invites groups of volunteers to help with creating hygiene bags and working on the community garden. To help unsheltered youth this Giving Day, go to NorthTexasGivingDay.org and give and pledge to volunteer. Every dollar and hour counts to help our neighbors. 

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