Lifting Up Westchester, a non-profit agency committed to helping individuals experiencing homelessness and hunger achieve self-sufficiency, announces
their fifth annual high school student essay contest. Open to all students attending school in Westchester in the 7th to 12th grades, students are invited to explore the role housing plays in influencing their personal future, the future of their community and how it impacts all of Westchester.
The essay contest was established in 2017 in memory of Beth Massey Rubens, a lifelong teacher, tutor and mentor who had a love for language arts. This year’s essay challenges students to reflect broadly on the issue of housing in Westchester. Today, there are 1,800 individuals living in shelters every night in Westchester. There are tens of thousands of Westchester residents living in homes where their tenancy is unstable. Even more individuals and families have to
couch surf or live within overcrowded quarters just to have a roof over their head. There are negative physical, mental health and educational consequences
for those experiencing inadequate housing and all forms of homelessness. The pandemic has exacerbated the housing problem for a much broader socio-economic group who lost jobs and/or had salaries reduced at the same time that rents and mortgages have risen faster than income and earnings.
“We know that stable, adequate housing is a critical foundation on which all other individual and family success can be built,” said Anahaita Kotval, CEO of
Lifting Up Westchester. “This year’s essay contest challenges our students to reflect deeply on how we can ensure adequate housing for all our neighbors.”
First, second and third place cash prizes will be awarded in each of the three grade groups: 7th and 8th grades, 9th and 10th grades, and 11th and 12th grades. New this year is an ESL category. Any ESL student from grades 7th through 12th can choose to enter this category. First prize in each category is $500, second prize $250 and third prize $100.
The contest kicks off Oct. 15, and students can enter through Jan.17, 2022, at 5 p.m. Winners will be announced in late February. Students, teachers, and parents can learn more about how the contest works and review the judging process and criteria by visiting Lifting Up Westchester’s website.
For more information about Lifting Up Westchester, visit liftingupwestchester.org or contact Lauren Candela-Katz at lcandela-katz@liftingupwestchester.
org or 949-3098 ext. 9737. (Submitted)
