Why are 1.6 Million Children Homeless in the U.S.?

“Hold up to him his better self, his real self that can dare and do and win out… People radiate what is in their minds and in their hearts.”
- Eleanor H. Porter (1868-1920) US novelist – author of “Pollyanna,” 1912

If you check out the theme of the book, Pollyanna, you will see that the main character, a little girl, accomplished remarkable changes in her aunt’s town. Pollyanna has always gotten a bad rap in the “real world” so when I spotted Eleanor Porter being from New Hampshire, I finally had a chance to ‘honor’ her in public. To me, this little girl that Eleanor wrote about also fits into the New Hampshire State motto of “Live Free or Die”.

Welcome to New London, NH

Perkins’ Family Home, Little Sunapee Road

Rosie and I arrived at the Lamplighters Motor Inn in New London. We would be having dinner with my sister-in-law’s brother James (Jim) Perkins, his wife Beth, and their children: Alden (High School) and Charlotte (Middle School). What a delightful, fun and intelligent family. This was my first time in meeting this truly energetic family. Everyone has interests outside their jobs including being students.

Beth is a teacher and over the years has had her classes collect and send school supplies to School on Wheels for our kids on skid row in Los Angeles. She, her family and all involved care and understand the role of education and how the simple basic materials are missing in the lives of homeless children – kindergarten through twelfth grade. Education allows one to live free!

I have met three moms in New Hampshire — and now know that with families like theirs, all is and will be well in New Hampshire for kids.

Amazingly, the Perkins live right next to ‘Old New London Village’ – please do check this site.

Each one in the family are involved in sharing with visitors the history. Rosie and I got a great tour thanks to Jim and his son Alden. They included showing us the Violin House where Charlotte plays the violin on special occasions during school tours.

Little Red School House

Pick Your Desk

Maybe in the future we can all meet at this diner as we continue our trip through New Hampshire:

Tumble Inn Diner

Yes, I am still in Pennsylvania checking out Pittston and other small towns and taking care of business.

Sunrise over Pennsylvania

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“Live Free or Die”
- New Hampshire State Motto

I love the words and do realize how these words, seemingly very clear, can have different interpretations for each person.

Awe-inspiring State!

Rosie and I drove on to New Hampshire from Vermont. New Hampshire, like every state has its own beauty, spirit and vibes. We drove on smaller back roads which made the ride even more pleasant and stupendous in many ways.

Beauty!

Covered Bridge

To all at School on Wheels in Los Angeles, we visited with Neda Mashouf, a former volunteer tutor! Neda was a consistent volunteer to our ‘old’ Downtown Learning Center in Skid Row. Her coordinator at that time was Esteban who I just visited in Brooklyn, New York. He always speaks highly of Neda’s generosity and her understanding of the kids and their needs. Her present support of School on Wheels reflects a deep value of seeing education as the avenue out of poverty and homelessness for the hundreds plus more children and teens in our program. I was so happy to meet Neda.

Even though I am not an artist, I am the biggest fan of music, art, dance — all creativity. With Neda, it is just there – in her and all around her including the Village of Meriden.

Meriden, New Hampshire

Plainfield is a town in Sullivan County, NH and includes the Village of Meriden, home of Kimball Union Academy. Plainfield is also home to the Helen Woodruff Smith Bird Sanctuary and Annie Duncan State Forest.

Here are links to websites on New Hampshire:

• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Hampshire
• http://www.enchantedlearning.com/usa/states/newhampshire/

New Hampshire ranks #2 in helping homeless children in their state! How wonderful is that – yet, at the same time how sad we have any homeless children in the country.

It is only fitting that New Hampshire ranks high in helping kids. Neda introduced Rosie and I to her friend, Lynn, who is also her child’s teacher. As I listened to a very stimulating conversation, I witnessed two strong advocates, not only for their own children, but for all students. These two moms, not only talk about caring, but go the extra mile in expanding kids’ hearts and understanding.

The one thing I am certain from this trip, I will be returning to visit New England and hope again to pass through the Village of Meriden.

From there, we started to drive toward Claremont when a blinding rain storm popped up out of nowhere! Rosie is an excellent driver and was quite calm and confident as we drove along not able to have the consistent help of windshield wipers. (Rosie taught me how to drive years ago and that evening proved she was an excellent teacher). We finally found out way to Claremont and spotted an American Legion Center. A couple (our peer group age) – suggested where to stay and led us to an place called ‘The ‘Common Man Inn’.

Hard to See

As I write this, I am now in Scranton, PA and in a couple of days will be on my way to visit two grand-nieces in Carlisle and University City. My drive from Fishkill, New York to here – along I-84 West was gorgeous! Trees all around and beyond were turning or had turned colors. I felt very nostalgic and sentimental as I drove along this magical road. I have not seen this in years and years and more years. Interestingly enough, the temperature was not crisp – we are in our 80s here. I had not expected to witness this as most trees had not started to turn while I was in Vermont and New Hampshire.

I will write more on my New Hampshire visit as we drove on to meet relatives for the first time in New London, NH.

Rainbow in Claremont

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