Study centers offered for homeless students

Project Return, a PPS program which has been serving homeless students since 1990, helped more than 1,350 children and families last year. This year two new study centers, funded by a grant from the Portland Schools Foundation, offer additional opportunities for homeless students.

The centers, located in downtown shelters, provide "a cozy place to unwind after school," according to Kerry Tintera, Project Return coordinator. Centers are furnished with rocking chairs, computers, desks and a library corner. A Project Return program teacher and educational assistant are there to oversee students while they work on their homework.

Project Return also provides homeless kids with new backpacks and school supplies, too. Parties at the study centers and in shelters around the city were thrown at the end of summer so students could receive free supplies, clothing, clothing vouchers and bus tickets.

"Project Return's mission is to get kids into school and make them feel good about school," Tintera says. "We're working to break the cycle of poverty and homelessness."

If you know a student who could be helped by Project Return, call 916-6588.

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