Homeless students in Macomb County will be a bit warmer this winter and beyond, thanks to the warm hearts of Extra Credit Union’s staff and members. This year, because of the great support the credit union received from its staff and credit union members, Extra Credit Union was able to donate $1,068 to the MISD Homeless Education Project, in addition to nearly 700 personal care items including hats, gloves, scarves, socks, toothbrushes, toothpaste, soap, and others.

The project assists parents and their families while they are temporarily between homes by providing them with useful daily items and necessities, as well as plugging them in to community resources where they can obtain additional assistance.

People typically think of homeless as being someone that lives under the bridge with a bag over their shoulder, but they rarely think of families and kids,” said Mary Lebioda, School Health and Related Services Consultant and liaison with the MISD Homeless Education Project.

These items will support the project in providing useful items and community resources to the 1,240 homeless students who have been counted so far this school year in Macomb County. Last school year ended with a total of 1,618 homeless students in the county. There were more than 40,000 homeless students in Michigan last school year.

“In the tumultuous life of a homeless student, school is their ‘safe place’,” Lebioda said. “School is often a source of stability, continuity and comfort. The Macomb Intermediate School District supports school stability for homeless youth.”

This is the sixth annual “Mittens for Kids” drive the credit union hosts benefitting the project. And each year, the donations greatly increase. Last year, the credit union donated $500 and 480 personal care items.

“We are very thankful for our staff and credit union members’ continued support in assisting the project in providing these students with the resources they need to be successful despite the difficult circumstances they face,” said Deidra Williams, President and CEO of Extra Credit Union. “We have a very generous family here who truly cares about the community around us and those in it, keeping the ECU legacy of supporting education alive.”

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