Lesson Plans

Unsheltered Lives: An Interdisciplinary Resource and Activity Guide for Teaching about Homelessness in Grades K-12

Unsheltered Lives is a collaborative effort of the Committee on Temporary Shelter, VISTA, and the Vermont Department of Education. In 1990 Alex Messinger, then a VISTA volunteer at the Committee on Temporary Shelter, researched and wrote Unsheltered Lives as part of his VISTA service. 

VISTA (Volunteers in Service to America) is a federal, domestic, volunteer agency committed to working against the forces of poverty in the United States. The Committee on Temporary Shelter supplied office space, computer time, and countless resources. The Education of Homeless Children and Youth Project at the Vermont Department of Education contributed additional resources, assisted in editing, and provided the means for printing and statewide distribution. 
In 2010, the Committee on Temporary Shelter researched, revised and updated statistical and relevant information, and re-designed the format of Unsheltered Lives to better meet the needs of today’s teachers. This updated edition of Unsheltered Lives includes a new section that contains a list of projects students can do to help make a difference in their community. In addition, a list of web resources and links has been added, along with information on COTS Speaker’s bureau. 
If you have questions, comments or suggestions about Unsheltered Lives, please call COTS at (802) 864-7402 or visit us at www.cotsonline.org. Additional copies are available from: Committee on Temporary Shelter P.O. Box 1616 Burlington, VT 05402 (802) 864-7402 www.cotsonline.org