Overview

  • Owen J. Roberts School District believes that homeless youth should have access to free and appropriate public education and wishes to limit the barriers that homeless children may face.  Our goal is to have the educational process continue as uninterrupted as possible while children are in homeless situations.

     

    Homeless students are defined as individuals lacking a fixed, regular and nighttime residence, which include students living under the following conditions:
    1. Sharing the housing of other persons due to loss of housing or economic hardship.
    2. Living in motels, hotels, trailer parks or camping grounds due to lack or adequate alternative accommodations.
    3. Living in emergency, transitional or domestic violence shelters.
    4. Abandoned in hospitals.
    5. Awaiting foster care placement.
    6. Living in public or private places not designated for or ordinarily used as regular sleeping accommodations for human beings.
    7. Living in cars, parks, public spaces, abandoned buildings, substandard housing, transportation stations or similar settings.
    8. Living as migratory children in conditions described in previous examples.
    9. Living as run-away children
    10. Being abandoned or forced out of homes by parents/guardians or caretakers.
    11. Living as school age unwed mothers in houses for unwed mothers if they have no other living accommodations. 

    Below are links to our district policies.  Should you have any questions, you can contact the OJRSD homeless liaison, Dr. Brad Bentman, at bbentman@ojrsd.net or 610-469-5115.

     

    Policy 251 Students Experiencing Homelessness, Foster Care and Other Educational Instability  

     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     

Community Resources

  • Salvation Army - Pottstown Corps

    Address: 137 King Street, POTTSTOWN, Pennsylvania 19464

    Phone: 1-800-SAL-ARMY

    At The Salvation Army in Pottstown, we offer a variety of services and programs to assist the community. We serve with emergency food solutions, family services, enrichment classes for children, and also serve as a place of worship every Sunday morning. Our doors are open to all.

    Comments (-1)

  • Pottstown Beacon of Hope

    Address: PO Box 60, Pottstown, PA 19464

    Phone: (424) 625-1818

    Pottstown Beacon of Hope’s mission is based on hope, love, and grace and a willingness to come alongside Pottstown residents experiencing homelessness, by providing year-round emergency shelter and working together towards creating a better community for all.

    Comments (-1)

  • Phoenixville Area Community Services

    Address: 101 Buchanan St., Phoenixville, PA 19460

    Phone: (610) 933-1105

    Since 1972, Phoenixville Area Community Services has been dedicated to helping people get through difficult or challenging periods in their lives. Emergency assistance is provided through food distribution and Information & Referral services that help get our clients back on their feet.

    Comments (-1)

  • Chester County Food Bank

    Address: 650 Pennsylvania Dr., Exton, PA 19341

    Phone: (610) 873-6000

    The Chester County Food Bank was formed in 2009 to address the escalating hunger problem in the county. The food bank's primary goal was, and still is, to have a viable, sustainable organization that secures, manages, and distributes food to those in need.

    Comments (-1)

  • Coventry Food Pantry

    Address: 692 W. Schuylkill Rd Unit 1, Pottstown PA 19465

    Phone: (610) 326-5659

    Founded in 1972, the Coventry Food Pantry provides food and household supplies to residents in need in the Owen J. Roberts School District. With help from donations and state funding, the pantry gives out monthly supplies for families and individuals with food insecurities. We have many other programs and special distributions. At the end of summer, the pantry provides children with school bags and supplies. It also has Thanksgiving and Holiday meals to support individuals and families with the support they need during those times. 

    Comments (-1)