Student Council Welcomes Step Up on Second Director

Did you know: Student Council members in grades 1-8 had the opportunity to hear from Mr. Tod Lipka, the Director of Step Up on Second, an organization that helps put people challenged with homelessness into permanent housing with any support services they may need.
  • Only 1-2% of homeless people choose to be homeless. That leaves 98% who want to be housed but don’t always have the means to do that alone.
  • Many homeless people have jobs, but the wages they earn, are not enough to support the expense of maintaining a home.
  • The first step to addressing homelessness is for us to each make the change in our own thinking about the problem of homelessness. The best we can do for homeless people is to express empathy and compassion; no labels, no limit, lots of love. 
  • The next step is to provide donations to organizations through money or supplies. Most homeless people have access to meals on regular basis through shelters. The greatest need is for community help providing supplies such as blankets, towels, toilet paper, dental care items, first aid kits, soap, shampoo, toilet paper, etc. These items are best distributed through an organization that supports homeless people. Organizations can provide services and distribute supplies in a more efficient way than giving things to individuals one at a time.
Thank you Student Council members! Your questions and comments were thoughtful and you are ready to lead our school in helping the BHS community address the local challenge of homelessness.
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Located in Los Angeles, CA, Berkeley Hall School is a private, coeducational school for students in preschool through grade 8. Rigorous academics in a supportive atmosphere and grounded character development allow students to become fearless scholars and conscientious citizens - gain a love of learning, leadership with social responsibility, creativity with moral integrity, and self-esteem with compassion for others and the environment.