Hidden behind Lewiston Public Schools’ Next STEP school lies one of the most integral support systems for unhoused families in Lewiston – the Student Resource Center. The Student Resource Center is a Lewiston Public Schools-based initiative that works with McKinney-Vento students and their families to ensure that all students, no matter their circumstances, have the opportunities and resources to thrive in school. The McKinney-Vento program in Maine protects the educational rights of students experiencing housing instability. For many families or unaccompanied youth, housing instability looks like living in a motel, staying with friends, living in a family shelter, or any other unstable living space. Here’s where the Student Resource Center comes in; they offer a comprehensive support system for students and families to make education as accessible as possible. Their services range from providing essential resources like clothing, food, and hygiene products to offering after-school tutoring programs, transportation support, and assistance in enrolling students in school and supporting their attendance.

This year, I began volunteering at the Student Resource Center. I had previously worked with unhoused adults in Lewiston and Boston, but I had little knowledge about how homelessness impacts families and unaccompanied children. I was eager to work more with kids this year, and SRC was the perfect opportunity to do so. As a volunteer, I provide homework support to any students who need it, as well as assist with donation sorting, provide resources for guests, or help the staff in any capacity. It has been so wonderful to work with the same students over the course of the year and build those relationships together– as they’ve grown as students, I’ve seen myself grow and improve as a tutor, and I am so grateful for how much they have taught me this year.

What’s so special about the Student Resource Center is its individualized approach to supporting children and their families. Whether this means organizing an Amazon wish list so that teenagers can get a Homecoming dress that suits them or taking unaccompanied teenagers grocery shopping so they can buy their favorite snacks, the Student Resource Center is dedicated to fostering a safe and inclusive environment for all students in Lewiston. I look forward to continuing the partnership between the Student Resource Center and Bates in the coming years; I know this partnership will continue to help Bates and Lewiston students learn, grow, and connect in and beyond the classroom.