ROANOKE (WSLS 10) - An update to a community issue we've been closely following student homelessness. The United Way's RYSE program is in the beginning stages. They are planning to identify the first families and begin them in the program to get them out of homelessness within the next few weeks.  This is the program many of you donated to during the 10 Cares RYSE Up Roanoke Telethon in June where more than $61,000 was raised in less than 24 hours.
They've raised more than $100,000 and have a $100,000 grant. Nearly 600 Roanoke City students don't have a place to call home.
"Every day after school I know that I'm going to be going home to the same place. I don't have to worry about where I'll be sleeping that night. I also know that I can be whatever I want when I grow up and I think every kid should have a life that they can be focusing on education so they can do whatever they want too," said Ava Rosa Devries, who is emceeing the RYSE Concert.
The free concert is Thursday, September 15th. It starts at 6:40 p.m. at William Fleming High School in Roanoke with a performance by the school's drum line. Other acts include Girls Rock Roanoke, Boys and Girls Club, Raleigh Court United Methodist youth praise band and more.