Across the world, many children wake up, put their backpacks, on and carry themselves to school with no worry but to learn. When they get to school, they have endless books to explore and no doubt in the quality of their teachers whatsoever. In Trenton this would be the ultimate dream for students. Classrooms in the district feel empty many days as kids are not able to bring themselves to school or choose not to. The city faces chronic absenteeism. Though efforts have been put in place through grants to solve the crisis, it is the power of community leaders like Jill Schwartz and Yolanda Robinson that help children find a sense of belonging in a classroom.

Absenteeism has been an ongoing issue in the Trenton Public Schools district. As 27.3% of the population struggles through poverty, many children have to overcome great hurdles to get themselves to school.

CEL leader Brittany Aydelotte states “you don’t get a bus unless your two miles plus away from school. You might not get to school safely by then… protective factors have been an issue in absenteeism.”

As crime rates are at a high in most Trenton areas near schools, students and parents sometimes find it unsafe for their child to walk to school. Concerns such as this deter parents from sending their kids to school unless they are free to bring them there.

At home they find themselves going through health issues as a consequence of the low income housing most of them live through. Asthma is one issue that is such a common to find in the area.

“Some of these kids are responsible for taking care of their younger siblings when their parents take on an extra shift. Many of them have obstacles to face such as hunger, homelessness, and financial issues as well,” Aydelotte continues.

These children go through a heavy stress in the environment they are raised up in. Many of these schools struggle to provide access to the care these students need to overcome these stresses, because of the lack of funding in place. The lack of funding Aydelotte emphasizes is what is dragging down the availability of counselors towards struggling students. Funding is also key to the supply of textbooks available for the students, which is another obstacle most Trenton Public Schools face.

Though efforts for funding are in place, the impact of individual leaders in the community is enforcing a solution with or without the funding to effectively leave a mark on children.

Yolanda Robinson, an educator at Benjamin C. Gregory Elementary School, devotes her time every week to make sure kids understand the importance of education and life skills. Being part of the Center for Child and Family Achievement, she has held events such as the annual coat drive that provides coats and uniforms to students who cannot afford them.

“It is important to understanding the basic needs of children before the real learning in classrooms,” Robinson speaks out.

Many of these children face traumatic issues back at home and need a safety net at school. Dr. Jill, is a former counselor and a professor in counseling courses at TCNJ, preparing future educators to be effective counselors in this area. She prepares each student in her class for counseling internships in an urban environment so they can learn how to deal with the struggles of mostly children living in urban areas, with a trauma informed perspective.

“Safety is a big driver for kids not coming to school, and it is important that counselors are there to understand the struggles these kids are coming from,” Dr. Jill states.

By taking individual action, Dr. Jill and Robinson are directly enforcing efforts to help lesson the issue of Absenteeism. The community needs leaders like them to grow. Mere funding will not do the job without the individual efforts to enforce them.