Denstaedt retires after years of helping homeless students

ALPENA -- Vicki Denstaedt, the McKinney Vento homelessness liaison for Alpena Public Schools, will bring her 19-year career with APS to an end as she is set to step down from her position at the end of the school year.

Denstaedt says her journey with APS began in 2005 as a part-time lunch lady at Alternative Choices for Educational Success Academy, which at the time was housed in the old Oxbow Elementary School building.

According to Denstaedt, her journey toward becoming a school advocate all started with her simply being a safe space for students, a role she believes she earned through her status as a lunch lady at the time.

"As a lunch lady, you're a safe space for kids," Denstaedt recalled. "Those who are having troubles, you know, they come to you. They might not reach out for help, but they'll talk to the lunch lady."

Denstaedt explains that she used the role as a trusted confidant for children to help connect the kids with the services they needed.

That led her to her first full-time position with APS as the district's homeless services advocate. She began assisting with the McKinney Vento program, initially taking students shopping for basic necessities. Over time, her responsibilities grew, leading her to become an official advocate for homeless students, guiding them to resources and support.

"My biggest goal over the last probably five, six years has been really to increase awareness," Denstaedt said. "It's awareness to families to let them know that there is help, especially when we have kids that have educational needs."

The McKinney Vento Act is a federal law ensuring children experiencing homelessness receive the resources they need for a proper education. The act defines homelessness broadly, including those living in shelters, with friends or relatives because of economic hardship, or in nontraditional residences such as cars or campgrounds.

The McKinney Vento Assistance Program provides $50 per student, which can be used for clothing, medical referrals, transportation, and other necessities determined by the school district.

"Over the last 10 years, we've been growing," Denstaedt noted. "However, a lot of people are still too afraid to ask for help."

As Denstaedt's role expanded, she became integral in forming relationships with other districts and state education departments.

As she steps down, Denstaedt hopes her successor will continue to grow the program and maintain its compassionate approach.

Looking ahead, Denstaedt plans to spend more time with her grandkids and perhaps volunteer within the school system.

"I'm just like anybody that's in the school system that cares about their jobs: They care about the kids," she said. "It's why we're here. It's not about the money. It really isn't. It's ... about, you know, just seeing the difference in kids' lives."

Temi Fadayomi can be reached at 989-358-5693 or tfadayomi@thealpenanews.com.