Azalea Charities presents $1000 worth of Target gift cards to help homeless children

Every year, the Fairfax County Public School system has students of all ages living in temporary or emergency housing. More than 1400 children were homeless during the 2006-2007 school year.

The Fairfax County Public Schools Homeless Liaison Office assists families in enrolling their children in the schools, setting up transportation, and supporting homeless students in the schools. The Office also helps unaccompanied youth (those not living with their parents or guardians) stay in school until they graduate.

After reading about the help Azalea Charities provides to local agencies, including homeless shelters, the Homeless Liaison Office contacted Frank Lasch Sr., President and CEO. On January 25, 2008, Mr. Lasch presented the Office with $1000 worth of Target gift cards to be used for families and youth in need of emergency food, clothing, or other items.

According to Dawn Blankenship, of the Homeless Liaison Office, "We are extremely grateful to have this resource as it allows us to provide for unmet needs without having to focus precious time looking for funds to meet those needs." The Office is working to find funding to increase the capacity of existing youth programs to serve more homeless unaccompanied youth. For more information, go to the Project Hope website: http://www.wm.edu/hope/homeless.php# or email Dawn Blankenship at dawn.blankenship@fcps.edu.