Homeless teens find shelter at NDHS

By CHRISTINA ROSALES

Dallas Morning News Staff Writer

crosales@dallasnews.com

Dozens of students crammed into the counseling center at North Dallas High School a week before winter break.

“What do you need?” asked the truancy officials and counselors who pulled the teens out of class, sympathy etched on their faces.

There are 76 homeless students enrolled at the school, more than most other high schools in Dallas ISD.

District officials and campus staff hope to get these kids to school every day, to graduate after four years and to overcome whatever caused their homelessness, whether it be poverty, family instability, gangs, pregnancy or a string of bad luck.

 “We can’t help with whatever caused their homelessness,” said school principal, Dinnah Escanilla. “We can’t keep them from their family problems or from pregnancy, but we can help them get through school.”

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