McHenry High School's student-written and -edited newspaper

The McHenry Messenger
McHenry High School's student-written and -edited newspaper

The McHenry Messenger
McHenry High School's student-written and -edited newspaper

The McHenry Messenger
McHenry County is no stranger to homelessness, but it comes in many different circumstances then people imagine. 80% of the homeless population in McHenry County have jobs, and many sleep on friends' couches instead of on the streets.

Unchosen lifestyle

Lily Adams, Editor In Chief • March 6, 2025

An MCHS student has recently been evicted from their house. With nowhere else to turn, the student has to stay with a friend. The student walks home to their friend's house, embarrassed to ask the school...

When people hear the word “homeless,” they often think of bums living in boxes on the street. But student homelessness looks more like a backseat or couch to sleep on.

Battling student homelessness

Michelene Havard, Staff Writer • December 19, 2019

A homeless MCHS student sleeps on a friend’s couch. The student wraps themself in a warm knitted blanket, tirelessly finishing their “homework” while their friend’s family dozes off into the night. Ruby...

Eileen Zheng and Breanna Darcy help put together birthday blessing boxes for the homeless during a November Key Club meeting in the West Cafeteria. Key Club students will hand out the boxes to homeless on their birthdays throughout the year.

Key Club packs blessing boxes for local homeless community

Kyla Henige, News Editor • November 27, 2019

During their November meeting, Key Club put together birthday blessing boxes for the Pioneer Center that will be distributed to local homeless shelters. “In the box,” says director of Key Club Emma...

Teachers Ashley Diedrich and Emma Theel promote the Food For Thought Program with some of their student members at the Freshmen Extravaganza in February.

Hidden homelessness

Gianna Matassa, Editor – West Campus • February 27, 2019

In District 156, there are more than 1,000 students who call McHenry home. However, a portion of those students does not have a house to go home to.  When the term "homeless" comes to mind, often people...

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