The University of Texas Dallas is hosting Kids University for the 21st time this summer, allowing homeless children to have a fun summer camp experience and learn exciting new skills.
“We have an obligation to make
contributions to the community. We invest a little bit each summer and,
hopefully, it really will change some lives,” George Fair, a proponent
of the UT Dallas’ participation in the camp since its inception in 1995, said.
Nearly 1,300 children in Dallas are
homeless, according to data from the Metro Dallas Homeless Alliance. Kids
University allows some of those children to learn about engineering, computer
science, geology, math and nutrition and learn about the importance of
education.
“Drug use and domestic violence is very
common in this population — even without them being at a domestic violence
shelter. A lot of these kids don’t have
fathers involved in their lives, so they don’t have that male role model,” Rainbow Days’ Family Connection Program Director Kelly Wierzbinski, whose
organization runs the camp, said. “During the year and at this camp, we provide the
kids with the tools and skills they need to overcome adversity and build their
resiliency, so they can stay drug-free, stay in school and make healthy
choices. We try to inspire and prepare children to live a life filled with hope
and promise.”
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