This year, GFPS identified nearly 500 students who qualified as homeless under the educational definition of the term. McKinney-Vento (Homeless Assistance Act) defines homeless as those students who live in shelters, hotels/motels, campgrounds, inadequate housing, doubled-up with another family due to financial hardship, or who that are completely unsheltered. These kids and families are living without a permanent nighttime residence. In other words, they are our “hidden” homeless.

As such, these children often go unnoticed. They go to school as often as they can and bounce around frequently. They have to piece together their education based upon where each school and each class happens to be at in their curriculum. They then have to adapt to a whole new set of rules with a whole new set of people. This makes learning much more difficult. We wonder why people feel that our system is failing our kids. I promise you it is not.  It is not the system. It is the reality of their world that creates the struggle. Life happens all around us and much of what happens is not in our control. We can, however, help mitigate that as best we can.

Our school system has a team of three, of which I am proud to be a part, that work day-in and day-out to help provide some stability into an otherwise chaotic existence. Our goal is to provide equal access to education for our students who are living in transition and homelessness. We work closely with local agencies such as the Great Falls Public Schools Foundation, the Great Falls Community Food Bank, Opportunities Incorporated, The Cameron Center, Family Promise, The Rescue Mission, My-Student-In-Need, the YRC, St. Vincent de Paul’s, and so many more. Our community has so many wonderful people willing to reach out to lend a helping hand. In fact, each school has been “adopted” by a local church that helps meet some of their needs such as food and clothing drives, holiday meals and gifts, as well as other needs. Pastor Neumann and the good people at Faith Lutheran even did a sleeping bag drive for us this year to help keep our kids and families stay warm in cars or on floors. I would like to add these churches do so as good neighbors and caring people.

Our younger students of all walks of life are constantly in need of school supplies, and each year there is a “Stuff the Bus” campaign to kick start the year. These donated supplies are divided and distributed to all of our schools. This is wonderful. I think that it goes without saying that most of this goes towards our neediest families. First Interstate Bank does a “Stuff the Food Bus” as well towards the beginning of the year which then partners with the GF Community Food Bank to lower the cost of food until the collective weight is met. 

Every day, without fail, my team is down at the Great Falls Community Food Bank filling boxes of food, most of which carries only a .19 per pound shared maintenance fee, to distribute to our families that qualify as homeless or at-risk. This is funded primarily through the Great Falls Public Schools Foundation. Shaun Tatarka and his dedicated crew at the food bank, and the difficult work they do there, make it easy for us to get in and out quickly and affordably in order to get food boxes into the hands of those who need it most. They are kind, courteous and efficient. We could not do what we do without their help, the help of donors like you, and the well-oiled machine that is the Great Falls Community Food Bank. This year, our department alone has delivered nearly 30,000 lbs. of food to date. The primary reason I wanted to be on the Food Bank board is because I feel so strongly about the amazing work they do, and how strongly I believe in this organization.

Some other supplies are needed year long. Our younger students of all walks of life need socks, underwear, sweatpants, and shoes. During the winter, hats, gloves, and coats. Our older students often need items such as DOP kits loaded with hygiene supplies (male and female), feminine hygiene products, warm coats, and sweat shirts. For our older students, these compact items are easier to carry around with them as they are always on the move. Many are bouncing from couch to couch and have only what they can carry.

We have all had to overcome obstacles of one sort or another in our lives, and no one should ever downplay what another has gone through. I know I have. I know you have. I also know how fortunate I have been, and was taught to count my blessings. In my current role, and through my work over the past 24 years in education, I have seen so much hardship and struggle. I know that I have not seen the worst. I hope that day never comes. I know that we have wonderful organizations here in Great Falls, many of whom I have listed and many of whom I have not, that are here to help. Look around, reach out, donate, volunteer, spread the cheer and goodwill. There are so many out there who need it! All schools may be contacted directly in able to fill individual needs. Each school has its own very unique climate.

Ryan Hart Great Falls Public Schools

Student Services Coordinator for the Homeless and At-Risk

Great Falls Community Food Bank Board Member

Former Elementary School Principal

Former 5^th /2^nd grade Teacher