Homelessness is affecting millions of adults and children worldwide. In 2019, the National Center for Homeless Education identified over 1.35 million children and youth as homeless during the 2016-2017 school year. As a result, children experiencing homelessness are at a greater risk of poorer health and diminished social and educational outcomes. Project Connect is a Cincinnati Public School program that offers children experiencing homelessness various programs throughout the year ranging from school supplies and uniforms to a 6-week all inconclusive summer academic and enrichment program. In this study we assessed the overall wellness of youth and adolescents and implemented a program to address the wellness needs of 8- to 13-year-olds. On the 4th week of camp, we gave the campers the wellness survey. We briefly introduced the survey as a method of getting insight into their understanding of wellness and how they take care of themselves emotionally. After completing the surveys and analyzing the results we found, the main coping strategies noted by the students were not talking to anyone and spending time alone and, extremes in sleep patterns. Although spending time alone is not an unhealthy strategy, the others certainly are. This data suggested multiple things to us. They may not have people in their lives who they can speak to, they do not have or are not aware of any healthy outlets to release emotions. In order to address the results of the wellness survey we conducted wellness talks with each group of youth ages 8 to 10 years old and ages 11 to 13 years old. In each wellness talk we focused on issues that children and adolescents are facing such as bullying, abuse, hunger, stress and anxiety, and happiness. We helped the children and adolescents to define wellness as it relates to taking care of their minds, bodies, and souls. We focused on what contributes to taking care of each one such as talking with friends, therapy, sleep, exercise. Furthermore, we emphasized how all these things are interconnected and can influence mood and attitude. In conclusion, the wellness of children experiencing homelessness is an important aspect of addressing the greater risk of poorer health as well as diminished educational outcomes.
Joy Owens, owens2jy@mail.uc.edu; Kellsa Mbah, mbahka@mail.uc.edu
Keywords: homelessness, children, urban health project, service, survey
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