ATLANTA — A new pair of shoes may seem simple, but for kids experiencing homelessness, the basics can be anything but that.
"We do have children who are unable to come to school, who aren't comfortable coming to school because they don't have nice shoes," Sana Ali-Jackson shared, "They might be too big. They might flop around."
Ali-Jackson serves as Homeless Liason for Atlanta Public Schools, part of the team that came together Wednesday to ensure district students dealing with homelessness have what they need going into the holidays.
"A lot of times with our families experiencing homelessness, families have to prioritize their needs," Ali-Jackson said. "They have to decide, 'Do I buy food today? Do I pay for hotels so our family's not on the street?'"
"A lot of times, they don't have the funds necessary to buy their basic needs," she added.
As a result, districts like Atlanta Public Schools work to fill the gaps throughout the year. This week, the district partnered with the nonprofit "Soles4Souls," the Nashville-based organization that turns shoes and clothing into educational and economic opportunities for students with unstable housing.
Daniel Mathieu is a social worker with the district and was among those shopping for six kids on Wednesday, some as young as kindergarten.
"We have several families that live in shelters, double up with other family members, or even live in hotels,' Mathieu said.
State numbers further show the need, with 35,516 students enrolled in Georgia public schools without permanent housing, according to the latest data from the National Center for Homeless Education.
Within APS, approximately 2,000 kids experienced homelessness at some point during the last school year, Ali-Jackson said. So far this year, the district is already tracking 1,900 students identified as homeless, and Ali-Jackson noted the numbers are expected to grow with the continuation of the school year.
While the district can provide emergency support ranging from educational assistance to transportation, clothing, food, gift cards, and more, it's sometimes the little things Ali-Jackson said can carry weight.
Like a new pair of shoes, which can help students feel confident and put their best foot forward.
"Schools are definitely on the frontlines dealing with the symptoms of homelessness, doing the best that we can to support our students," she said.