You may not realize how many local students go to school each morning without first having a place to shower.

Maybe they spent the night in a car or in a hotel room. They may not know where they will sleep tonight.

According to Family Promise of Martin County, more than 740 students in this school district are registered as homeless. There are thousands more students considered homeless in Palm Beach, St. Lucie, Okeechobee and Indian River counties.

Family Promise of Martin County is hosting its annual fundraiser this weekend to continue its work helping homeless families find a safe and stable place to live.

The Martin County Bed Races aim to raise at least $50,000 for homeless families in Martin County. Local groups and organizations build “beds on wheels” with creative themes and race down Flagler Avenue.

Everyone is welcome to attend, watch the races and consider donating to the cause.

The event will take place on Saturday, November 16 and will run from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at 600 SE Flagler Ave, Stuart, near Sailfish Ballpark.

Family Promise of Martin County has been serving homeless families since 2018.

One of the families is Trinetta and her two children, aged 2 and 16.

Her two-year-old son, AJ, spent the morning on a swing and going down a slide in the courtyard of Family Promise’s main site.

“He’s so energetic,” Trinetta said.

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Having his own garden for his son to play in is a dream that, for so long, seemed out of reach. She was homeless for years.

“It wasn’t something that came out of nowhere. It lasted for years. It was so hard to get back on my feet. I kept trying over and over again,” Trinetta said.

She was homeless even before AJ was born. She wants to make sure he doesn’t know the struggles she went through.

“Failed relationships, domestic violence, incarceration. I just couldn’t get through it,” she said.

It wasn’t just about struggling to find accommodation for a month. Sometimes we didn’t know where she would spend the night, even when her daughter had to be at school the next day.

“She had to change schools so much, because we didn’t know if the place we were going to would last a month, two months, three months or even a year, it just closed down.”

Ultimately, the loss of his children was a turning point.

“DCF has not heard that we have a temporary housing situation. They need to know you have a permanent housing situation,” she said.

She discovered Family Promise of Martin County, which helped her family own their own home and ensured she could bring her children back to live with her.

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“I was able to manage my money better, take my GED, buy a car and have safe, stable housing,” Trinetta said.

There are many reasons why families and children become homeless, but the cost of living and lagged wages only make matters worse.

“They are not the ones who beg. These are the families who are hiding because they don’t want anyone to know they are homeless. Most of them don’t report it because they’re afraid their children will be taken,” said Paige Cortes, director of operations for Family Promise of Martin County.

In addition to providing housing for some families, the nonprofit also finds landlords willing to work with struggling families. They also work with families to learn how to manage their budgets and provide financial support when ends are not made.

“I really feel like with the tools they showed me, I have a chance to be okay,” Trinetta said.

It gave him new hope for his future.

“In five years, I see myself owning or running something, where I have workers working for me. »