ARK Project
The ARK Project is a school-based program providing basic needs, crisis intervention, advocacy, and essential support services to houseless children and youth, ages 0-21, and their families throughout Coos County, Oregon. Our drop-in center directly serves approximately 350 houseless families in Coos County every year.
The ARK Project strives to remove barriers preventing students from academic success through fostering self sufficiency and helping to provide basic needs. In the 2023-2024 school year, the ARK Project delivered Thanksgiving meals to families lacking in a fixed, regular, and adequate night-time residence. The ARK Project delivered over 500 backpacks and educational supplies to all the schools in the county, and over 650 holiday gifts to 136 at-risk kids. Additionally, the ARK Project collaborates with AYA (Alternative Youth Activities) to assist families in obtaining transitional housing, case management and other basic needs. The drop-in center is located at 817 South 10th Street, behind MHS between the wood-shop and drama lab.
Summer Drop-in Hours: Tues.-Wed. 1-5pm
Or call for an appointment: (541)267-3104 EXT:7115
- An emergency or transitional shelter
- A motel, RV Park, or campground
- Your car, a park, the street or an abandoned building
- Shared Housing with Others - due to economic hardship
- Substandard Living Conditions -lacks utilities, infested with insects or mold; lacks a working kitchen or a working toilet; or may present unreasonable dangers to adults, children, or persons with disabilities.
- Or unaccompanied minors in one of the living situations listed above
- Laundry services and showers
- Emergency food pantry
- Hygiene supplies
- School supplies
- Access to donated clothes
- Tutoring & homework help
- Assistance navigating community resources
- Help with school fees only for students K-12th grade
- Information & help with school transportation
Homeless Education/Foster Care
The McKinney-Vento Act is a federal law guaranteeing all children and youth the right to an equal education, regardless of their living situation. Protection under the McKinney-Vento Act extends to those who lack a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence.
This definition includes students:
- Sharing housing with friends, relatives, etc. due to the loss of housing, natural disaster, hardship, etc.
- Living in a motel, trailer park, or campground due to the lack of alternative accommodations
- Living somewhere not designed for human occupation
- In shelters or substandard housing
- In the above situation and not in the custody of an adult guardian
Those covered by the law have the right to:
- Immediate enrollment, regardless of documentation, immunizations, etc.
- Automatic eligibility for free/reduced lunch
- Transportation to their school of origin (consistency in education)
- Comparable education to all other students
