Kevin
Project Shelter had the honor of guiding the academic journey of a remarkable young boy in Gaithersburg, Maryland. Here is his story.
Kevin, a pseudonym to protect his privacy, was born into a family grappling with mental health challenges, which made it difficult for them to provide necessary support and guidance throughout his education. Despite the family's struggles, Kevin's physical needs were always met, and he was deeply loved by his mother.
Recognizing potential obstacles, Project Shelter stepped in to support Kevin from kindergarten onward, providing a nurturing network of tutors, counselors, and mentors while collaborating with his mother on healthcare decisions. Project Shelter also worked tirelessly with Kevin's teachers to secure an Individualized Education Plan (IEP) for him.
Throughout Kevin’s schooling, he faced significant social and emotional challenges, often resulting in bullying from both teachers and students. His frequent absences between 7th and 10th grade, led to truancy issues and the need to repeat the 9th and 10th grade.
Project Shelter eventually withdrew Kevin from public school and provided months of intensive tutoring to prepare him for the GED. Kevin passed the exam and graduated alongside his peers.
Although his mother was too ill to attend his graduation, the founder of Project Shelter attended in her stead.
Today, Kevin works at a large retail store with a perfect attendance record and continues to receive promotions. Despite losing his mother this year, he remains a dedicated employee. Kevin is a resilient and loving young man who aspires to help other children facing similar challenges.
It has been an honor to support Kevin as he overcame his obstacles; he is truly an inspiration.
MARK
Project Shelter had the honor of working with Mark, a pseudonym to protect his identity and the identity of his family. Here is his story.
Mark is 1 of 5 children. His mom is the primary financial provider working full time. His dad is an alcoholic bouncing in and out of detox.
Mark's family receives Medicaid and HOC benefits. His mom was familiar with Project Shelter and asked if Project Shelter could represent her in all academic decisions regarding Mark, their 8 year old who was having difficulties in school. She signed an academic Power of Attorney.
Mark, at the time, was in the 3rd grade. The first step Project Shelter does when working with a child is meet with their teacher(s) to better understand their overall academic profile. The next steps are determined by the teacher’s recommendations.
In this case, Mark's teacher thought that he would benefit from smaller classes and more individualized attention. Unfortunately, his public school was not equipped to offer the attention Mark required.
Project Shelter arranged for neuropsych testing. As suspected, he was suffering from ADHD and his executive functioning skills were 3 years below his chronological age.
Project Shelter was fortunate to identify a private school offering specialized services within close proximity to his home. Mark received a scholarship and Project Shelter paid the reduced annual tuition of $6K. Mark flourished in his new school.
Unfortunately, after 2 years, his mom decided to move from NC to DC to protect the children from their dad.
Mark currently attends public school where he is not receiving special services and as a result, his behavior has deteriorated and he’s performing poorly academically.
Today, Project Shelter continues to work with Mark. We are meeting with the school and lobbying for an Individual Education Plan, an IEP.
Project Shelter’s goal is to identify the best solution for Mark so he once again can succeed academically.