In early March, the Community Cares Organization held its first fundraiser to support this cause. Empty Bowls is a national grassroots movement that partners with local artisans to raise money for food-related charities. Local artisan, Michele Ann, hand-spun 250 bowls for the inaugural event. Bowls were provided to attendees to remind them that “no child deserves an empty bowl”. Additional activities included a local fire department chili contest, community raffle, and McKinney-Vento conversations with school counselors, social workers, and the McKinney-Vento Liaison. Over $4,000.00 was raised to support the ongoing partnership between the Community Cares Organization and the McKinney-Vento Program with Franklin County Schools.

Following the devastation caused by Hurricane Helene in Western North Carolina in September 2024, the North Carolina Homeless Education Program (NCHEP) convened a panel of homeless liaisons from the most severely impacted counties. Over several months, liaisons from Buncombe, Haywood, Yancey, and McDowell counties collaborated to document key lessons learned from supporting children and youth experiencing homelessness during and after the storm.

The resulting presentation has been shared at NCHEP professional development sessions and at the National Association for the Education of Homeless Children and Youth (NAEHCY) national conference in Dallas, Texas, in November 2025. The panel was also invited to present their experiences to Mebane Rash, CEO and editor-in-chief of EducationNC (EdNC), a leading source for education news in North Carolina.

EdNC is currently developing a hurricane response “playbook,” expected to be published in early 2026. The insights shared by these liaisons will be included to help guide homeless liaisons and education leaders in future disaster responses, ensuring that students experiencing homelessness are identified and supported as quickly and effectively as possible.

Read more about the “playbook” HERE.

The Public Schools of Robeson County community showed up in a big way! Throughout the week, food was collected at baseball games, across the school district, and at the district office. There were enough donations made to support children and families throughout the Thanksgiving and Winter Holiday break. Thanks to the generosity of the students, staff, and community members, the school district was able to donate extra items to the Robeson County Church and the Community Center, as well as the Food Bank.

The Public Schools of Robeson County social workers proudly wore their “Support Crew – Hunger & Homeless Awareness” shirts as they helped lead this effort. Shaneitha Lee Nance, homeless liaison for the district, is extremely grateful to everyone who played a part in spreading hope and care across the county!

Cleveland County Schools recently hosted a Community Stakeholder Lunch centered on an important conversation about student homelessness — and how each of us can make a difference. Thirty-eight School Social Workers and community members came together to discuss the challenges students face, the support systems available, and meaningful ways we can work collaboratively to ensure every child has the opportunity to succeed.

The Vance Cares Community Center was “DREAMED” into existence to support families experiencing homelessness. It is stocked with clothing, hygiene items, bedding, kitchen supplies, furniture, wash cards & detergent, and other household essentials that are critical to a family’s needs. It offers immediate, practical assistance that helps reduce barriers to stability, school attendance, and student well-being. The Care Center reduces the burden of starting over after displacement or domestic violence. It offers a respectful, discreet way for families to receive needed items.

The Vance Care Community Center is proud of its Wash Card & Laundry Detergent initiative, which significantly helps families experiencing homelessness by addressing one of the most overlooked but essential needs- clean clothes. The Wash Card initiative has prevented bullying and isolation, which happens when students wear soiled or worn clothing. Vance County Schools is able to provide these resources to their students and families through community partnerships.