Oakland Schools Honors Farmington Staffers Who Work with Homeless

Farmington Public Schools staff members Hatty Ligon and Kim Buckley have been honored by the Oakland Schools Homeless Student Education Program (OSHSEP).

Ligon is a special education teacher at Warner Upper Elementary and Homeless Services Coordinator; Buckley is Executive Assistant for Instructional Services and Organizational Leadership and Homeless Liaison. 

OSHSEP works with district staff to ensure all students are provided with educational services, regardless of their housing situation. The organization can assist with school supplies, necessary school clothing, connection to tutoring supports, and the cost of school activities and programs. 

OSHSEP recognized the work Ligon and Buckley have done to support the 52 families and 91 students they served in the 2012-2013 school year. The number of homeless students in the state was up to more than 37,500 in 2011-2012, from about 22,600 in 2009-2010, according to the Michigan Department of Education.

Buckley ensured that Farmington Public Schools received a proportionate share of the cost for serving homeless students who now live outside of the Farmington Public Schools’ boundaries. 

Ligon also operates “Operation Common Good” at Warner Upper Elementary School, with teacher Tera Shamey. The program helps struggling Warner families provide basic needs for their children and/or are homeless. Ligon and Shamey volunteer their time and energy by raising funds and providing support such as food, clothing, utility expense gift cards and more to families.