Chesterfield County Public Schools

July 23, 2026

One Year Later: Chesterfield’s Partnership with St. Mark’s Continues to Grow Support for Students and Families Experiencing Homelessness

One year ago, Project HOPE-Virginia spotlighted the partnership between Chesterfield County Public Schools (CCPS) and St. Mark’s United Methodist Church, a collaboration helping students and families experiencing homelessness access critical support when they need it most. Since then, this partnership has not only continued, but it has grown.

What began as a community partner’s curiosity about the CCPS McKinney-Vento program is now a responsive network of support for families facing housing instability. Since the partnership began in 2022, St. Mark’s has provided more than $60,000 in direct assistance to students and families identified as experiencing homelessness.

This support includes rental deposits, past-due rent, utilities, transportation, food, clothing, coats, school supplies, mattresses, furniture, gift cards, and temporary lodging. Three school-based resource closets have also been created, giving staff a way to respond quickly when students and families need food, hygiene items, clothing, detergent, or other necessities. For families facing housing instability, these resources provide more than temporary relief; they are a bridge connecting students to school stability and stable ground.

A Bridge During Crisis

While the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act provides students experiencing homelessness with vital support like immediate enrollment, transportation, and free school meals, McKinney-Vento education funding cannot be used for direct housing assistance. This is why it is critical for local McKinney-Vento programs to cultivate relationships with organizations and agencies who can provide this direct support. 

Demonstrating the power of these relationships, CCPS McKinney-Vento Liaison, Yasmin Acevedo, praised the program for the rental assistance that St. Mark’s has developed for families facing urgent housing needs. When families reach out for help, Acevedo works to understand their circumstances, including employment, the amount of assistance needed, and whether the support could help create a sustainable path forward. When a family appears to be a good match for St. Mark’s assistance, Acevedo connects them to the application process through the church. From there, St. Mark’s communicates directly with the family and follows through with targeted support.

In one recent case, this rental assistance helped a CCPS family move through a temporary housing crisis. After a job loss, they had fallen behind on rent and were facing eviction. Through ongoing support, coaching, and connection to McKinney-Vento services, the mother accepted help and was referred to the church.

Acevedo described, “We had a mother that was like, we’re going to stay with my sister temporarily, they’re kicking us out. Eventually, she filled out McKinney-Vento paperwork, and we referred her to the church. They were able to help put her in another apartment. Her husband had lost his job. I mean, it was just a bad battle. And she just wanted to secure the school for the kids. Eventually, you know, everything worked out great. She’s still living where she was, just at another unit. The kids are still in school. The husband was able to find a job. I mean, it was a best-case scenario.” For Acevedo, this story demonstrates how dynamic community partnerships can truly be a bridge to life-changing assistance.

From Awareness to Action

The partnership with St. Mark’s has also created a ripple effect across the community. After Yasmin gave a presentation about the McKinney-Vento program and the needs of students and families experiencing homelessness, members of St. Mark’s began sharing that information with other congregations and organizations. That outreach has helped bring new partners into their work and expand the resources available to families.

In addition to St. Mark’s, other local partners have helped provide items such as formula, personal care products, and household necessities. For example, Bon Air Baptist Church has provided families with beds through a Build-a-Bed program, helping families who have secured housing access furniture they need to make that housing feel more stable and livable.

“What I’ve learned about this process is there’s a lot of people that want to help,” Acevedo said. “Sometimes they just don’t know how.” Acevedo noted that education has been key. When community members understand what McKinney-Vento is, the realities of what families are experiencing, and how schools are supporting students, they are often more willing to help because they see the tangible ways they can contribute. 

The partnership has also led to additional funding. St. Mark’s recently received a $10,000 grant dedicated to rental assistance for families referred through the CCPS McKinney-Vento program.

Lessons for Other Communities

For other McKinney-Vento liaisons and school divisions, the CCPS and St. Mark’s partnership offers an example of how strong community relationships can grow over time. The partnership began with education and relationship-building. By helping partners understand McKinney-Vento, the role of schools, and the realities families are facing, Acevedo helped create a foundation for meaningful collaboration. Over time, that foundation has become a self-sustaining network of support.

Acevedo emphasized that many people and organizations want to help but may not know where to begin. Schools and liaisons can play an important role by helping partners understand the need, identifying appropriate ways to support families, and building trust over time.

The partnership also has reinforced the importance of internal awareness. As word of the work spread within Chesterfield County Public Schools, Acevedo was invited to share more about McKinney-Vento and the St. Mark’s partnership with division and faith-based leaders. Since then, the division has increased efforts to promote McKinney-Vento information and resources, helping school staff and the greater community understand the supports available to students and families.

A Growing Network of Support

For students experiencing homelessness, school stability is essential. When families are facing housing instability, access to food, transportation, clothing, rental assistance, and other basic resources can help students stay connected to school and continue learning. The partnership between Chesterfield County Public Schools and St. Mark’s United Methodist Church shows what is possible when schools and community partners work together with a shared purpose.

Schools may not be able to provide housing directly, but they can identify needs, build trust with families, and connect them to partners who can help. Community partners may want to help but need guidance, information, and a clear pathway for support. Together, those roles can create meaningful change for students and families experiencing homelessness.