The work Melinda Torres does through the ARK Program at the Marshfield High School campus has long been recognized as one of the best programs for homeless students in Oregon.
Torres and the administrators at Marshfield High School have prioritized reaching homeless students, and the result is students who would have dropped out are finding a pathway to success.
Last year, the state even honored Torres as the Education Services Professional of the Year. By reaching out to the most at-risk students and offering them assistance with school, food, clothing, housing and more, Torres and the ARK Program have set the standard in Oregon.
This week, a story written by Investigate West showed that the success seen in Coos Bay is not the norm statewide.
Read the full story at https://www.opb.org/article/2022/12/01/oregon-schools-districts-homeless-students-assistance-coos-bay/