Learning to Rise Above

We know education is key to breaking the cycle of homelessness. We’ve seen it. Since 2006, when we sent our first young shelter resident off to college, we have begun to build a series of partnerships with schools that recognize the needs of this community yet have the discipline and resources where children in transition have the best chance to shine.

Currently, Children of Shelters provides for teaching support staff at Holy Family Day Home in the Mission. With the help of a generous corporate grant, we have launched a partnership with Mission Dolores Academy, a K-8 school across the street from Holy Family Day Home, which has a tremendous support system and an impressive track record of helping these children go onto independent high schools.
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At the other end of the spectrum we have proudly graduated one COS child from UC Santa Barbara and one from Columbia University, are providing tuition assistance to three currently enrolled students (Howard University, University of Hawaii and Art Center College of Design) and are actively looking to welcome additional college students in the years ahead.