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Wednesday, December 4, 2024

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Trump's pick to lead DEA withdraws from consideration; Report: NYS hospitals' operating margins impact patient care; Summit County, CO aims to remain economically viable in warming climate; SD Gov. sets aside 2026 budget funds for new education savings accounts.

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GOP Senators voice reservations about Kash Patel, Trump's FBI pick. President Biden continues to face scrutiny over pardoning his son. And GOP House members gear up for tough budget fights, possibly targeting important programs.

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Residents in Colorado's rural communities face challenges to recycling, climate change and Oregon's megadrought are worrying firefighters, and a farm advocacy group says corporate greed is behind high food prices in Montana.

Mobile classroom 'Winnie’s Wagon' helping unhoused students

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Thursday, February 1, 2024   

In Pennsylvania, a unique mobile classroom brings education and support directly to unhoused youths.

More than 3,100 school-aged children in Allegheny County experienced homelessness during the 2021-2022 school year.

AJ Jefferson, CEO of the Homeless Children's Education Fund, said thanks to the donors and corporate supporters, they were able to raise enough money to create "Winnie's Wagon," the first and only mobile classroom in western Pennsylvania. It is designed to support students experiencing homelessness.

Jefferson pointed out the van provides educational resources along with individual tutoring sessions for kindergarten through eighth grade students.

"It's a dynamic vehicle filled with all of the technology needed," Jefferson explained. "All of the school supplies, all of the learning tools that our students need to get excited about learning, to be excited about the possibilities of what learning can bring them."

Jefferson noted Winnie's Wagon is an extension of the organization's Mobile Learning Program, which began during the pandemic in 2021, providing educational support to children who are unhoused.

Jefferson stressed they have two social workers dedicated to delivering wraparound services, meeting families' immediate needs for necessities such as food and clothing and assisting them in securing appropriate housing solutions.

"Social workers, they utilize that van and go out and do home visits and making sure that families have everything that they need in order for that child or their children to continue to be able to move forward in education," Jefferson emphasized.

Jefferson added they partnered with the Children's Museum of Pittsburgh for the design of the van. Inside are chalkboards mounted on the walls, robots, Kindles, iPads and many more educational supplies. Outside, the van includes an awning and movable furniture.


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