‘Really will change their life’: WSMV Surprise Squad delivers gift helping battle student homelessness
Surprise Squad gave a boost to Hero Family Fund.
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WSMV) -“Student homelessness” are two words not often heard together, but it’s a growing problem in Davidson County where more than 4,200 students were considered homeless in Metro Nashville Public Schools last year.
One woman has selflessly dedicated her life to helping these students, and the sneaky WSMV4 Surprise Squad delivered a gift she never saw coming.
WSMV4’s Holly Thompson sat down with Catherine Knowles, Director of Special Population Services at Metro Nashville Public Schools, who explained the reality of the problem in Davidson County.
“We’re just over 2,000 students already, and so that’s, you know, a quarter into the school year, and we get new students and new families identified every single day,” said Knowles. “So what that looks like on the ground is we’re talking about a lot of families who are living with friends and relatives because they’ve been forced out of housing.”
Knowles added that the face of homelessness also includes students living in their family car, in weekly rental motels or a shelter.
“Our clear message for families is although we can’t address your housing crisis at the moment,” explained Knowles, “there are other things that we can do to kind of ease the burden in this moment in time.”
Knowles has been helping Nashville’s student homeless population for the last 26 years. Recognized throughout Tennessee and nationally as a leader and advocate for homeless youth, Knowles has helped grow the HERO (Homeless Education Resource Office) Program from serving 200 students a year to more than 4,000 a year.
“Thanks to Catherine’s leadership, our team has grown, and then our physical space has grown, which allows us to support students in a better way than ever before,” said Jami Oakley, HERO Program Community Partnerships Coordinator. “She just really loves what she does and it shows.”
Among the program’s provisions: school supplies including school clothing and shoes, hygiene items, food boxes and access to an in-house food pantry and assistance with transportation to school.
“Anything a child needs to be ready to get on the school bus and go to school and have a good day,” explained Oakley.
“The difference that a great new pair of shoes makes to a family or a student is pretty powerful,” added Knowles.
Some of the student and family needs are not covered through grants and community partners, and that’s where our Surprise Squad stepped in to help with the Hero Family Fund.
“I have to stop the interview just for a moment,” said Thompson. " I do have a confession to make because I’m also here on behalf of the WSMV4 Surprise Squad, and we have a check to present to you right here. This is Blair Durham of Bart Durham Injury Law, and he is our sponsor of the Surprise Squad, and look at what he has for you!"
“I LOVE a big check!” said Knowles. “That’s fabulous!”
The Surprise Squad presented Knowles with a $1,000 check of flexible funds for a family’s needs thanks to Surprise Squad sponsor, Bart Durham Injury Law.
“They get to say ‘Yes’ to a family that has needs that is homeless, and they have a kid that’s trying to navigate school and life, and they’re so used to hearing ‘No,’ and now they get a chance to say ‘Yes, yes, we can help you. Yes, you’re welcome here,’ and that means the world,” said Blair Durham.
“Being a dad and having two kids, I can’t imagine the feeling of not being able to provide for your family and just helping to provide for a family in need, means the world,” added Durham.
“All of that money will go directly to meet a real need of a family and really will change their life, at least for that moment in time,” said Knowles. “Thank you.”
“We are so grateful to Surprise Squad,” said MNPS Chief Strategy Officer Sarah Chin. “Thank you so much. Thank you for thinking of our kids. Thank you for thinking of our families, and thank you for thinking of Catherine and all of her incredible leadership at Metro Nashville Public Schools.”
The HERO Program is always looking for donations and volunteers. Here is a link for more information. https://givingmatters.civicore.com/index.php?section=organizations.mission&action=main&fwID=4127
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