Social Impact & Volunteering

Handbook Helps Texas Homeless Youth Understand Legal Rights

Mar 21, 2017 8:05 AM ET
Elizabeth Mack, Texas Appleseed Board Chair and Natalia Shehadeh, Weatherford Vice President and Chief Compliance Officer

On March 2, 2017, The Texas Appleseed Board of Directors hosted a reception to honor Weatherford for the Company’s partnership in creating the Texas Homeless Youth Handbook.

In a joint pro bono effort, Weatherford, Texas Appleseed and Baker & McKenzie partnered to create a guide to help homeless youth better understand their legal rights, responsibilities and resources. Texas is the fourth state in the U.S. to have this particular resource, found at www.homelessyouth.org/texas.

A team of more than 50 lawyers and staff dedicated hundreds of hours to research, write and edit the 18-chapter book, which covers critical topics such as education, healthcare, housing, parenting, and consumer credit issues. This comprehensive guide debuted in Houston on December 8 at Covenant House Texas, a shelter for homeless youth.

Nearly 10 percent of the nation’s homeless youth live in Texas, according to the National Center on Family Homelessness. This handbook was designed to help empower well over 100,000 youth experiencing homelessness in the state with Texas-specific knowledge.

 “Weatherford is committed to making a difference in the communities in which we live and operate. It was our team’s honor to provide counsel and support in making this valuable resource for the disadvantaged youth of our community,” said Natalia Shehadeh, Weatherford Vice President and Chief Compliance Officer. “Together, we hope to make a lasting positive impact in these young people’s lives.”

The online resource, also available in print, was designed in a youth-friendly question-and-answer layout. The resource will be shared with schools, libraries, public agencies, social advocates and others throughout Texas and will be available online starting in December at the specially designed mobile-friendly website, www.homelessyouth.org/texas. The online version of the handbook is also easily adaptable should Texas laws change.

Since the release of The Texas Homeless Youth Handbook, Weatherford has pledged $5,000 in support of ending homeless youth. To learn more about our involvement view a recent press release here.