One Missouri school district has given new meaning to “no child left behind.” Discouraged by the number of homeless students in its district, and by the limited shelter options available to male teens especially, the Maplewood, Missouri, school board partnered with local school officials and churches to open Joe’s Place—a house for homeless high-school boys.
The school board fronted the money to buy the house and will also pay the mortgage, insurance and utilities-about $34,000 a year. Managed by a local nonprofit, Joe’s Place can accommodate four students and live-in house parents.
