SOTM April: Young and Homeless
Some stories are data driven, others are fueled by a person’s compelling character. The article I wrote about homeless students in Skagit County had elements of both.
In the story Young and Homeless, I began with a girl who left her home because of her mother’s drug addition and violence. The story continues through the debate that school officials have about the legitimacy of the definition of homelessness under the law, called McKinney-Vento.
This story began as a records request about homeless statistics in February. I coordinated with all of the homeless liaisons in Skagit County to get current information. I looked up prior years’ statistics at the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction Web site. Lastly, I interviewed a student from Mount Vernon High and others at the Oasis Teen Shelter.
The day after the story ran I got a call from a woman in the county who wanted to offer her spare bedroom for the girl. She was very moved by her story and wanted to help.
Even as a reporter, you can’t help but wonder what a person does with their life after you’ve slipped in for a snapshot of it.
As a person, I hope she does well.