Arlette, 18, came to the United State to live with her 27-year-old cousin, Joshua Jiménez.
At Centennial High School, where she entered as a senior in August, one of her teachers introduced her to the Project Link Homeless Education Program, Las Cruces Public Schools program to support students experiencing homelessness, after hearing about her living situation.
Even with her cousin working all day, the two had little money to spare. They now live in an affordable housing complex in town.
For the 2020-21 school year, 566 students in LCPS were considered homeless, which is defined as individuals who lack a fixed, regular and adequate nighttime residence. Some students share the housing of other persons due to loss of housing or economic hardships; others are living in motels, hotels, trailer parks or camping grounds.