For Immediate Release
Contact: Lea Ann Erickson
Assistant Vice President of Public Relations and Marketing
Phone: 508-929-8018
October 23, 2009
(Worcester, Mass) -- Worcester State College will host the Housing Forum, “Kids Count: Meeting the Needs of Homeless Children,” Wednesday, October 28 at 2:00 p.m. in the Student Center North/South Auditorium. “Now more than ever, it is critical that we direct our attention to children,” said Maureen Power, Ph.D. Professor of Urban Studies and Executive Director of the Intergenerational Urban Institute. “Children are powerless and the current economic climate has put so many families—and children in peril,” she added. “I am particularly proud that we are welcoming back WSC Urban Studies graduates to this forum who have continued their service to others after their service learning experience at Worcester State College,” said Power.
The event is sponsored by the Intergenerational Urban Institute, Urban Studies Department and WSC Commonwealth Corps “Ending Hunger Together” Program.
Power will moderate a discussion with the following panelists:
Participants:
Grace Carmark, executive director, Central Mass Housing Alliance will give an overview of the latest report card from the National Commission Against Homelessness and an overview of the shelter situation in Worcester.
Kate Kerr, WSC Class of 2008, child advocate at the Village, a family shelter in Worcester, was an Urban Studies major, and became involved with homelessness while taking the “Housing Dilemma” course in 2008. She went on to do an internship with Central Mass Housing Alliance and helped to develop Youth Against Homelessness (YAH).
Dr. Patricia McQuilken, pediatrician at UMass Medical Center, will address the impact of homelessness on Child Health.
Shirley Fan-Chan, chief of External Programs at Horizons for Homeless Children, will address the importance of early education and play space for the growth and development of homeless children.
Stephanie Ettinger de Cuba, research and policy director, Children’s Health Watch (formerly C-SNAP at Boston Medical Center) will discuss the findings of their report “Bringing Children In From the Cold” about Boston’s hidden homeless children.
Judy Thompson, W M.Ed./CAGS, NCSP, coordinator of Counseling/Psychology and Community Outreach Services for the Worcester Public Schools, will discuss initiatives from the school department to better understand and meet the needs of homeless children.
Danielle LaRiviere, WSC Class of 2008, housing counselor, Central Mass Housing Alliance will discuss her role as a housing counselor and encourage the audience to assist homeless families by participating in a Donations Clearinghouse Drive on campus November 17. As an Urban Studies student she helped to organize a Donations Drive in spring 2007.
Discussant: Dr. Linda Weinreb, M.D., vice chair, Family Medicine and Community Health, UMMS
The event is free and open to the public. There will be a bake sale to benefit the Village.
In addition, the college will host the following events as part of the “Kids Count” effort:
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“Ending Hunger NOW, Tuesday, November 10, from 11:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. in the Student Center, Exhibit Area. Congressman Jim McGovern will speak on Child Hunger at 11:30, and kick-off the Empty Bowl event for Hunger Relief.
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Panel discussion: “Reaching the Goal to End Childhood Hunger by 2015,” Tuesday, November 10, at 2:00 p.m.
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“Helping Families from Shelter to Homes,” a Donations Clearinghouse Event for furniture and household goods, Tuesday, November 17, from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. in front of the Sullivan Building.
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