A rising number of Southern Illinois students are attending school without a permanent place to sleep at night, a trend education officials say is straining local resources and putting children at risk of falling behind.

To draw attention to the issue, the Regional Office of Education #21 is launching a community effort next week that urges residents and businesses to “Paint the Town Purple” during National Homeless Youth Awareness Month.

Have a story idea for Paul? Reach him at pwilcoxen@thesouthern.com .

Paul-Wilcoxen

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