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“A majority of our students are really trying to look for a better life. For some, they’ve grown up in a situation that doesn’t support education. If they do have a home, they may see “Johns” coming in every night, they may see their parents doing drugs and drinking alcohol, and in their homes, that is more important than setting an alarm to get their kids to school. Some of the students leave that situation, end up homeless, but they want better. We’re teaching them that education is the only way to end that cycle,” said Dumais.

Over the past 10 years since “The Store Next Door” and STEP came to LHS, an ongoing informal system of support for students has grown to be nearly self-sustaining. Donations appear at the school offi ce daily, with Seaman often fi nding her car fi lled to the brim with much needed food and other items. The local community is responsive to these needs, understanding how much “The Store Next Door” and its supplies are truly needed. One hundred percent of the items provided to students from the store are donated.

The donations come from within as well. LHS Ceramics teacher Jody Dube stepped up to help the cause this year with his LHS Cares cups project. Located on the opposite side of the building, Dube works with what he calls a “Noah’s Arc” of students. “We become aware that there are students who need more from us than lessons. Through art, I am able to teach students that what they do has value, and that is empowering to them,” said Dube. The value in Dube’s art students’ work was realized after completion of a recent project in which students hand-crafted 115 ceramic mugs. Dube sold the mugs as a fundraiser for the students who need services and help from “The Store Next Door,” raising $1,300. But beyond the money, the project gave students like Ryan, who both benefi ts from the store and who created some of the cups, a reason to come to school.

“Mr. Dube’s art class means a lot to me; it’s one of the classes that inspired me to go to school. He instructs me to stay away from the stuff I was doing, and keep on the right track, which meant a lot to me—it showed me he cared,” said Ryan.

Back at the store, Seaman and Dumais continue to meet and work with students to make sure kids like Nicole, who is now living back at home, catch up on school work and attend class. Dumais goes to Adela’s track meets, brings her water and makes sure she has support on the sidelines. “We off er them support and become their mom and their dad and their aunt,” said Dumais of the continued work to eliminate barriers to homelessness and open doors through education.“I love Mary and Meg. They care about me, and that matters and keeps me coming to school,” said Nicole.