Written by 
*** MEDIA ADVISORY ***
For Immediate Release
Monday, May 11, 2011
Contact: Gwen Samuel
Tel: (203) 443-3203
Email: gwen@ctparentsunion.org
THE CT PARENT’s UNION WILL PRESENT A CHANGE.ORG PETITION WITH OVER 15,600
“SIGNATURES” ASKING PROSECUTOR SUZANNE VIEUX TO DROP CHARGES AGAINST
HOMELESS MOTHER TANYA MCDOWELL
WE MUST PUT CHILDREN FIRST!
Press Conference:
When: May 11, 2011
Time: 9:15 a.m. – 9:45 a.m. [For Protecting the Educational Rights of
Homeless and ALL Children, and Support for Homeless Child & Mother Tanya
McDowell
Where: Norwalk Superior Court (Front)
17 Belden Avenue
Norwalk CT 06851
What:
In Norwalk, Connecticut on Thursday April 16, 2011, Tanya McDowell, a homeless mother was arrested for sending her five year old son to a school district where she had no permanent residence. Ms. McDowell states she only
wanted a better education for her child.
This is the second public case, in the last few months, where a mom was arrested for sending their child to an out of district school. The first mother, Kelley Williams –Bolar of Ohio, was charged with first degree larceny for sending her children to an out of district school.
A change.org petition, started by a concerned Norwalk resident, Anthony Crisci has generated over 15, 600 signatures asking for the charges to be dopped against mother Tanya McDowell.
http://www.change.org/petitions/stop-prosecution-of-homeless-woman-tonya-mcdowell-for-sending-son-to-wrong-school-in-norwalk-ct
In addition, last week, 26 children were kicked out of Norwalk Public
Schools for the “theft” of educational services. No arrests were made.
The CT Parent’s Union is concerned about whether Norwalk Public Schools are protecting the educational rights of children, which includes homeless children.
In regards to the 26 children kicked out of schools in Norwalk, the CT Parent’s Union wants to know whether there was administrative due process given for these 26 children prior to their being removed from their Norwalk school. The CT Parent’s Union also questions the timing of the removals and was this decision in the best interest of the children.
1. It is time to ensure homeless children and ALL children have access to a great education.
2. It is time to end laws that penalize and arrest parents for accessing great public schools for their children.
Here are the economic results of a 1% increase in the education levels of CT’s future work force as outlined by the State Department of Education.
Connecticut: $5 billion more economic activity each year
• Fairfield County: $ 1.8 billion
• Greater Hartford: $1.6 billion
• Greater New Haven: $800 million
• Southeastern CT: $300 million
Higher levels of education equal better community, higher employment,lower taxes, stronger businesses and less crime.
Note: During the throes of the recession, the number of homeless people in the United States increased, and the number of homeless families increased at an even greater rate, according to a report released Wednesday. The findings by the National Alliance to End Homelessness, although not
surprising, confirm the harsh toll that the recession – which began in December 2007 and ended in June 2009 – took on families. Historically, people struggling with mental illness, substance abuse or other chronic problems have been the focus of government homelessness efforts, and until recently the number of such homeless people had been declining. But the recession, which has led to rising unemployment and declining social services, has slowed progress among the chronically homeless and increased numbers of the newly homeless, among them many families, according to the
alliance’s report…
http://www.irp.wisc.edu/dispatch/2011/01/13/recession-and-homelessness/
