2. What does Service Learning mean to you?? “Be the change you want to see in this world” Mahatma Gandhi “Be the change you want to see in this world” Mahatma Gandhi

3. Maryland State Board of Education Requirement:  All students in the state of Maryland must complete a service learning requirement to earn a high school diploma  HCPSS requires 75 hours  HCPSS provides the opportunity to complete these hours in the middle school  All students in the state of Maryland must complete a service learning requirement to earn a high school diploma  HCPSS requires 75 hours  HCPSS provides the opportunity to complete these hours in the middle school

4. As a 6th grader you will…  Earn 25 hours by participating in all service learning activities  Complete all activities during the school day  Develop a greater understanding of the importance of service learning  Earn 25 hours by participating in all service learning activities  Complete all activities during the school day  Develop a greater understanding of the importance of service learning

5. Students who complete the student service requirement should be able to : PREPARE ACT REFLECT PREPARE ACT REFLECT

6. Our theme for this year is: Change Matters

7. What does homelessness look like?

8. How do people become homeless?  Job Loss  Inadequate health insurance  Lack of affordable housing  Medical crisis  Natural Disaster  Substance abuse  Mental illness  Job Loss  Inadequate health insurance  Lack of affordable housing  Medical crisis  Natural Disaster  Substance abuse  Mental illness

9. Are there homeless people in Howard County? YES!!

10. Where do homeless people go in Howard County?  Grassroots Crisis Intervention Center  24 hour crisis center  On-site shelter services  Short-term motel shelter  Cold Weather Shelter  Route One Day Center  Grassroots Crisis Intervention Center  24 hour crisis center  On-site shelter services  Short-term motel shelter  Cold Weather Shelter  Route One Day Center

11. How many people in Howard County are currently homeless? Approximately 955 men, women and children have used Grassroots Shelter services in the last year

12. How many children in Howard County are currently homeless? 386 school aged children have been identified as homeless by the Howard County Public School System as of November 16th, 2010

13. Are there homeless children at Ellicott Mills Middle School? Probably. There are 73 schools in Howard County. Currently 10 out of 73 schools do not have homeless children. That means 63 of those schools have homeless children in attendance. Some schools have many homeless students!

14. Do you know who the homeless children are in your school? Probably not. They are not going to tell you because…  They are embarrassed.  They don’t want your sympathy.  They don’t want to be teased.  They want to be like everyone else. Probably not. They are not going to tell you because…  They are embarrassed.  They don’t want your sympathy.  They don’t want to be teased.  They want to be like everyone else.

15. What can you do to help the homeless children and families in Howard County?

17. Can you make a difference? YES!! Collect change in your classroom and cafeteria Ask all the 6 th, 7 th, and 8 th graders, teachers, staff, and parents for help Host an event, such as a Walk-A-Thon Sell “ribbons” in support of Change Matters YES!! Collect change in your classroom and cafeteria Ask all the 6 th, 7 th, and 8 th graders, teachers, staff, and parents for help Host an event, such as a Walk-A-Thon Sell “ribbons” in support of Change Matters

18. What will the money be used for? The money will be used to improve the quality of life for a homeless person; a child, a parent, or someone who has no one else to help them… It costs $55 per day to shelter one homeless person at Grassroots The money will be used to improve the quality of life for a homeless person; a child, a parent, or someone who has no one else to help them… It costs $55 per day to shelter one homeless person at Grassroots

19. THANK YOU!!!!