In this excellent episode, Nancy and Jose are joined in the studio by Afira Devries, the President and CEO of the Monarch School Project. The Monarch School is the only public school in the US that serves only homeless pupils, offering kindergarten through high school education and support. 

Afira talks about her experience working at the school, showing how it grew from a little one-room facility to being a pillar of support for kids without homes. She stresses how crucial it is to provide a secure and supportive atmosphere where kids can grow in confidence in their abilities and sense of belonging. In her discussion of the difficulties encountered by homeless students, Afira touches on the trauma of concealing their living circumstances in conventional educational settings.

She reveals that because of continuous housing uncertainty, many students stay for years, even though others may achieve stability and graduate from the institution. In order to meet the requirements of various age groups and academic levels while keeping an emphasis on trauma-informed and restorative practices, Afira describes how the school functions as three schools in one.

Throughout the entire episode, Afira's dedication to justice and equity, as well as her own experiences, drive her love for helping homeless children. She thanks the community for its support and the chance to speak up for her pupils' needs.

An excellent episode on filling gaps in the community with Afira DeVries. Here are some other takeaways from the interview:

• The school's mission to provide education and nurture the development of unhoused children from kindergarten through high school and the importance of creating a safe and stable environment for unhoused students to grow
• The unique support services provided by the Monarch School, including the Butterfly Boutique for essential supplies, onsite health facilities, shower and laundry facilities, and a resource center for parents and caregivers
• The importance of creating age-appropriate interventions and fostering a sense of community and belonging for students and the importance of small victories and moments of peace for students experiencing trauma.
• The answers to the rapid-fire questions.

An excellent interview from a passionate gap minder. Thank you, Afira, for your contributions in San Diego, and for joining us on The Gap Minders.

Enjoy this episode and be sure to subscribe to the show.

If you have any questions or want to contact Nancy or Jose, please send an email to podcast@uwsd.org. Thank you for listening.

To learn more about the two social impact organizations making The Gap Minders possible, please visit www.TheGapMinders.org.