Resources available for Osceola County students without permanent homes

For the 2023–24 school year, the Homeless Services Network reported 427 unhoused, unaccompanied students aged 16 and over in Orange, Osceola and Seminole counties. These teens are living in shelters, motels, cars or on the streets without parents or guardians.

McMahon explained that family homelessness is often financial, but for unaccompanied youth, it can be due to other reasons, like family abuse or lack of acceptance.

The FIT program provides assistance with paperwork, transportation, and other resources to help these students establish themselves and continue their education.

“We provide them transportation to continue the school year where they started,” McMahon said. “So that gives them stability.”

Teachers and staff are educated on how to direct students to the FIT program, so students can reach out to anyone at their schools.