“To the people walking by, she probably looked like any of the thousands of homeless people in New York City” (Walls 3). Thousands of people roam the streets in the U.S everyday, hungry and without a home. Although some may disagree, some people choose homelessness as a lifestyle choice. Unfortunately for many children, such as the Walls children in The Glass Castle, homelessness is not a choice. Many resources can be provided by the government, but minors can not alone receive these aids. Although financial aids can be very beneficial to a family in need, many are too ashamed to ask. One of the most difficult aspects of surviving childhood homelessness is attending school. The most important factor in surviving homelessness is safety. One …show more content…
Younger generations must realize the effects school has in their life. Oftentimes, family influences can differ a child 's aspirations. Fortunately, local churches and schools can recommend a counselor or mentor to children needing positive influences. In order to overcome the many challenges of homelessness and to succeed in school a child needs a stable influence. A mentors purpose is to exceed a child’s goals and guide them in the right direction (Corbitt). Counselors can also create a feeling of safety and stability for a child who has lived a nomadic life. School and other routinely rituals can oftentimes feel strange and stressful to children who have not experienced stability. Consistent positive relationships formed at school can be the key to a child’s motivation and success. Although, at the end of the day kids must be self motivated. Mentors and other relationships can influence a child’s choice, but they must decide themselves if it is worth it or not. Experiencing extreme poverty and violence can be the right amount of motivation for a child to lead a better life. Homeless students may also be motivated by success stories such as the, “100 Long Island students who were granted scholarships by the Family and Children 's Association (Amon).” Influences and powerful stories can impact a child’s success, but only the child can decide to be