Hi. My name is Katie. I'm 9 years old. I'm from Pennsylvania.
I made this page so I could get ideas from other kids on how to help homeless
children. I need all the good ideas we can come up with. Lots of other
kids need our help. Thank you.
I went to New York to see Beauty and the Beast and I saw the homeless people there. Maybe we can do something. I sent e-mail to President Clinton. He sent me a nice letter. I want to do more. Please help. I'll try to keep this page updated with all your ideas. Thanks, Katie.
The
White House
Let the President know you care about the homeless too. Here are some of the comments that I received from the President in his letter to me:
"You can help me reach out to those in need by volunteering in your community. You can serve food in a shelter, help build housing, or become a friend to a child who is less fortunate than you. Together, we can help homeless Americans, and all Americans, lead better lives."
Sincerely,
Bill Clinton
Notes from other kids: A 12 year old homeless girl has asked kids to think about how they would feel if they were homeless. Her e-mail address is:
Her 10 year-old brother states that, "homelessness is hard but you should not be ashamed...homeless kids should know that they are just as good as other children and that the other children are no better than them, we are all equal."
A 63 year-old retired Pastor says that, "My mother and father were homeless people. However my father became a successful person because there were people like you that cared."
A in Ohio feels education is important. "I know that many homeless children are very smart, I'm sure they are - most children are - and without the proper help or mental stimulation, they will not be able to use their intelligence wisely...collect old books and give them to a homeless shelter."
10 year-old Kristi and her Dad, from Texas, feel that, "We need to get with our President and have him establish homes for these children nationwide and to be operated by the U.S. government and supported by private industry." "I would like to get in touch with other children in order to see if we can get the President more involved and concerned."
A says that, "This is the most useful idea I have experienced in 6 months of exploring web pages...Congratulations, Katie, not only for the idea but also for your concern for people."
Travis, a 12 year-old, thinks that, "We should try to find parents for these children."
, from Australia, feels that, "If lots of kids did this sort of thing about kid's problems they could probably improve the world."
, from Wisconsin, says, "I think God smiles when he sees the goodness in people, and the willingness to help others."
A volunteer from the Arlington Night Shelter, feels that the problem of homelessness is not completely solvable because, "I have met several homeless people who want to be homeless, and in a free country like ours, that is their right...It is hard to get a job if you look homeless. Ask your barber to offer free haircuts for homeless people. Ask a parent or teacher to volunteer some time at a shelter."
My Visit to a Homeless Shelter:
July 12, 1996. I went to a homeless shelter in Harrisburg, PA, with my Granny, and my friend Chris. It was an old school. The bedrooms were very small. They had some playrooms for the children to play in. I ate lunch there. I met Toya. She is 12 years old and homeless. I also met the Director, Shelley Mosley. You can write to the shelter at: Bethesda Mission
Women's and Children's Ministries
Box 3041/611 Reily Street
Harrisburg, PA 17105
E-mail addresses of homeless shelters or social agencies willing to receive things for their homeless children.
E-mail addresses of Police Officers willing to receive things for homeless children they know.
School clothes for 12 year-old girl. Let me know by E-mail if you can help, and I'll return with mailing address. (She wears a girl's size 16).
If you can assist with any wanted items, please let me know and I'll return with a mailing address. Thanks.
National Coalition for the Homeless - learn more about homelessness
Suggestions Received:
10 year-old homeless boy from NJ thinks that all town councils should talk about homeless people that may be in their town and how to help them. Each town could apply for aid to keep things more organized. His E-mail address is:
If you have comments or suggestions, please email me at