To the Editor:

Re “114,000 Students in New York City Are Homeless. These Two Let Us Into Their Lives,” by Eliza Shapiro, with photographs by Brittainy Newman (news article, Nov. 20):

First I have to say bravo! This was an incredibly well-written article that had the intended impact.

It was so poignant to consider that these were just two of the 114,000 stories, and the others are untold. It was crushing to hear about the lengths that these kids go to in order to overcome the obstacles to an education they face. And an education is what will lift these kids out of homelessness and poverty and offer a chance for a better life for them and their future children.

What can I as a New York City resident do to help, both big picture (what laws to vote for) and on a small scale (can we donate to these children, tutor them, offer our support)? I urge The Times to outline ways that we can help homeless children in need.

Hannah Ritchey

New York

Editors’ Note: The author of the article offers some suggestions about how to help.

To the Editor:

The addition of more Education Department social workers is an important step in the right direction, but urgent attention must be paid to the conditions that continue to produce family homelessness and housing instability.