What do children need in order to be successful in school and life? Imagine for a moment you had to spend the night outside or in your car with no money, only the clothes on your back, and very little food. Then, on the next day you had to take a test that would determine if you were ready to advance to the next level in your career. Do you think you would be able to give your best performance and advance? This is the every day life of many children today. Our basic needs: food, clothing, and shelter; must be met before we can expect any child to be able to focus and excel in academics.

What is the Maslow Project? Maslow Project is a nationally-recognized outreach program and resource center that works with families, schools, and social service agencies to break down barriers to success that the more than 1,000 homeless youth in the Rogue Valley face. Maslow Project’s philosophy is modeled after  Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs. “We believe in order for young people to reach their full potential, they need to have their basic needs met first: food, water, shelter, clothing. Once emergency needs are addressed, then we connect youth with additional support services such as education, counseling, mentoring, tutoring, and job skills.”

Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs Basic Physiological Needs For Survival: oxygen, food, water, sleep, clothing, shelter. Physical and Emotional Safety: stability, protection, security, and limits. Belonging, Social acceptance, and Love: positive relationships with family, friends, and co-workers. Feeling Important and Worthwhile: achievement, attention, recognition, and reputation. Need to Understand: knowledge, meaning, self-awareness. Aesthetic Needs: beauty, balance, and order. Giving Back: self-actualization, fulfilling our potential.

Maslow Project Services: Maslow Project offers a variety of services to give youth and families a “hand up, and not a handout.”

Basic Needs Jessica’s Clothing Closet Food Pantry Case Management Counseling School Liaison Family Advocacy Outreach Mentoring Girls Unite! Farm Hand

Jessica’s Clothing Closet Jessica Cano lost her life in a tragic car accident in 2009. She was a very generous individual who touched the lives of many. She reportedly open her closet up to many homeless youth and allowed them to pick any clothing they wanted. Maslow felt the best way to honor her memory would be to “open her closet” to all in need and follow her example of giving and caring. Jessica’s Closet will provide clothing, shoes, and personal care products to youth ages birth to 22 years.

The Farm Hand (Mentoring) The “Farm Hand” program connects at-risk youth to a Maslow mentor to work in the new community garden. Students are mentored in the various aspects of gardening and building techniques associated with gardening while learning about sustainability and participating in various life-skill building activities.

McKinney-Vento Act The McKinney-Vento Act is a federal law that was signed into law in 1987. Part of the act ensures that homeless children have access to education, including transportation assistance and registration at school. This act ensures that homeless students have certain rights.

McKinney-Vento Statistics Approximately 1 in 10 students in the Medford School District are considered homeless by McKinney-Vento definitions (Medford Schools 2009). There are more than 1200 homeless youth in Medford (Medford Schools 2009). Contrary to some beliefs, most homeless youth are NOT runaways. Most of the 1200 youth are still living with their parent or guardian – the whole family is homeless. Medford has the second highest homeless youth population in Oregon and has the highest population per capita (ODE 2009). There are more than 11,000 homeless students enrolled in Oregon public schools (ODE 2008). Maslow Project had more than 800 walk-in visits in the first year of service (children, teens, and parents). 170 individual youth found their way in for resources. In our second year, we had more than 1,800 walk-in visits.

Who Can Maslow Project Help? Living in motels/hotels Living in campgrounds, parks or unsheltered Couch surfing Not living with your parent or guardian In an emergency or transitional shelter Doubled up with friends or relatives In car or trailer Moved 3 or more times in a year due to unstable housing Awaiting foster care placement Not enrolled in school due to any of these reasons

The Maslow Project is helping thousands of homeless youth and families each year. This program not only helps individuals with essentials needs, but also reinstates hope into those who have lost all sense of hope. It is a goal-oriented program, which takes homeless youth and helps teach them the skills they need to be contributing members of society. Maslow Project was founded on the concept of ‘community working together to better meet the needs of our kids’.

Maslow Project Please visit there web site for more information: http://www.maslowproject.com/