WASHINGTON, DC – The United States Senate passed a resolution authored by Senator Angela Alsobrooks (D-Md.) and Senator Susan Collins (R-Maine) designating November as National Homeless Children and Youth Awareness Month. In the 2024-2025 school year, 21,341 students in Maryland experienced homelessness. Across the country, at least 4.2 million young people experience a form of homelessness each year. 

“The Book of Matthew tells us, 'you shall love your neighbor as yourself.' I live by this teaching – and know it is my duty to work to protect all children in our communities. In designating November as Homeless Children and Youth Awareness Month, Senator Collins and I are bringing much-needed attention to those who are homeless and the legislation and work organizations are doing to end homelessness in our communities and break generational cycles,” said Senator Alsobrooks.   

“Having a caring and safe place to sleep, eat, grow, and study is crucial for any young person’s development,” said Senator Collins. “This bipartisan resolution is an important reminder of the need to support young people who are forced from their homes, run away, or experience homelessness with their families by ensuring they can access basic services during this extremely vulnerable time in their lives.” 

“Infants, children, and youth experiencing homelessness face obstacles that are often unseen and overlooked, yet these challenges profoundly impact their health, development, education, and long-term well-being. SchoolHouse Connection is grateful for the leadership of Senators Alsobrooks and Collins in leading this resolution to designate November as National Homeless Children and Youth Awareness Month. By bringing national attention to the needs of children and youth of all ages, this resolution reinforces the importance of ensuring that every young person has the supports they need to thrive,” said Barbara Duffield, Executive Director, SchoolHouse Connection. 

“At Sasha Bruce Youthwork, we work every day to ensure young people experiencing homelessness have safety, stability, and the support they need to thrive. For more than four decades, we’ve helped youth build stronger futures through housing, education, and family-centered services. We are grateful for the leadership of Senator Alsobrooks and Senator Collins in elevating their needs through this resolution and shining a national spotlight on the challenges these young people face,” said Deborah Shore, Executive Director, Sasha Bruce Youthwork. 

“Each year, more than 1,000 students in Frederick County Public Schools struggle to find a consistent place to sleep at night. When our young people are worried about finding shelter and food, they can easily become disconnected from school. Making sure children in our community have what they need to grow their education every day is how we can end homelessness. We thank Senator Alsobrooks for her commitment to supporting our most vulnerable youth, highlighting their unique needs and the way their success will impact Maryland's future,” said Melissa Muntz, Executive Director, the Student Homelessness Initiative Partnership (SHIP) of Frederick County.  

This resolution builds upon Senator Alsobrooks' work to end youth homelessness. In May, Senator Alsobrooks and Senator Katie Britt (R-Ala.) introduced the Homeless Children and Youth Act (HCYA), which would support the youth and young adults experiencing homelessness and ensure that all individuals experiencing homelessness are given the support they need to exit it for good. This legislation expands the definition of homelessness to ensure youth are eligible for services to help them exit homelessness, and would require annual data to be collected and published on homeless children, youth, and families. This legislation ensures communities can direct funding in an effective way to prevent and end homelessness.