In her powerful reflection featured in Edsource, a respected news source for understanding California’s diverse educational landscape, Anat Leonard-Wookey, Vice President of Programs and Services at LifeMoves, urges educators, parents, and community members to better understand and support children experiencing homelessness. While many children start the school year focused on friends and learning, thousands in California carry the invisible burden of housing insecurity—affecting how they show up, engage, and feel at school.
Drawing from her experience at LifeMoves, where one in five beds is occupied by a child, Anat shares insights into the emotional toll of housing instability, the importance of preserving dignity, and the small but powerful ways adults can create safe, inclusive environments.
She calls on teachers to build trust through routine and respect, and encourages parents to teach empathy through honest, compassionate conversations with their children. Children without housing, she reminds us, notice everything—and feel deeply when they are welcomed without pity.
At the heart of this article is a simple truth: All children deserve safety, love, and the freedom
to be themselves—regardless of their housing status. And while children make up 20% of LifeMoves clients, they represent 100% of our future.
“ If we want every child to thrive, we must build a world where stability and belonging aren’t determined by housing status.”
– Anat Leonard-Wookey, Vice President of Program Services
Click here to read the full article.
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