LANSING, Mich. (WILX) – Homelessness is increasing in mid-Michigan’s student population, according to Michigan’s Department of Education (MDE).

However, a network of support programs is helping students while they go to classes.

It’s a complex issue with districts like Lansing Public Schools helping provide those students with much-needed support in and out of the classroom.

Some of the largest districts in Mid-Michigan have hundreds of students experiencing homelessness. Data from the MDE shows Lansing has 604 students, or nearly 6% of its student body, struggling with housing insecurity.

“The majority of our families are sharing the housing of others, we also have families stay in hotels, the local homeless shelters, tents, cars,” said Rose Taphouse with Lansing Public School’s Families Overcoming Rough Times F.O.R.T. program.

The program meets unhoused students and families where they are, helping with enrollment, transportation, and basic needs like clothing and shoes.

“If we can provide a quality education, give our children a chance, help them make it through their educational experiences, and graduate, their chances of becoming homeless as an adult are greatly reduced,” said Taphouse.

Program coordinator Rose Taphouse says students experiencing homelessness face many academic and mental challenges.

“Our students are exposed to four times the trauma of their house peers, which impacts attendance, behavior, all of those things, it causes major anxiety, especially when students don’t know where they’re going to sleep at night,” said Taphouse.

Despite those challenges, people should remember they’re still just kids, something the city rescue mission of Lansing sees often.

“Last night, by example, we had about 28 children. The kids are ordinary children that look and act like everybody else and want to have a good time and build friendships.

The F.O.R.T. program also assists other school districts within Ingham County, like Holt and Mason. They also partner with agencies like Child and Family Charities and Advent House to provide additional support.

School officials say student homelessness is a community-wide challenge to provide families with everything from affordable housing to childcare.

Child and Family Charities offer support for families experiencing or at risk of homelessness. Through our Resource Coordinators, we help connect individuals with local services, Medicaid outreach, and essential items such as food, diapers, and clothing. Our compassionate team works one-on-one with each family to provide personalized assistance.

For support, call 517-882-4000 or visit childandfamily.org.

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Brighton golf has its swagger back, and junior Adam Forcier is one of the reasons why.

Following a 2024 season where the Bulldogs did not qualify for the Division 1 state finals, Brighton returned this season and captured the Region 5 championship on Tuesday at Washtenaw Golf Club by 16 strokes.

Forcier shot a 77 and finished ninth overall, while all five of Brighton’s golfers finished in the top ten.

Forcier has been as consistent as it gets for the No. 7 ranked Bulldogs, averaging a 38.0 9-hole score in 2025, which ranks 20th among juniors in the state.

His successful season earned him a spot on our poll for top junior golfers in Michigan, where Forcier earned 5,520 votes to claim the top spot.

Royal Oak Shrine Catholic’s Caden Whitbeck finished in second with 3,012 votes while Reeths-Puffer’s Kristian Brown finished in third with 1,561 votes.

Forcier’s best round this season was when he shot a 70 in round one of the Kensington Lakes Activities Association Tournament at Kensington Metropark Golf Club. Forcier finished tied for fifth with a 148 (78 in round 2) as Brighton landed four shots behind first-place Howell.

The Michigan High School Athletic Association Division 1 state finals will take place June 6-7 at Michigan State University’s Forest Akers West. Prior to missing the state finals in 2024, Brighton had finished in third the previous two seasons.

Click here to see who made the poll for the top underclassman golfer in Michigan.