Community Outreach
Empowering Others
Community Outreach
It is no secret that teachers provide at least 50% of their classroom needs and materials out-of-pocket. This says so much about today's teachers that they are willing to give up part of their salary in order to teach their students. This is a reality, not an option. Equity Focus schools (Title One Schools) are even more affected. While they may receive government funding toward the classrooms, it potentially amount to less than 50% of their needs. And the children attending these schools have even more of a struggle. They may come from homes that have multiple family members living with them just to afford a roof over their heads. In this situation, they could go without food, proper clothing, school supplies and even lose their self-esteem. This is where we are stepping in to help. Here are some areas where we hope to make a change.
School Supplies for Children
No child wants to feel or look different from others. The first day of school can be their worst nightmare and sometimes is. Their family may not be able to afford the required school supplies and let's face it; those supply lists are becoming quite challenging. Thus these children often go to school without the bare necessities, while others are all decked out and have every school item necessary and then some. How would you feel? You know you are immediately going to be singled out, made fun of, picked on, and maybe even bullied. And this is on the first day!
Starting in August 2025, we established a "Back-to-School Funday" where all children are invited. All attending are provided with one complete back-to-school outfit (including shoes, underwear, socks, jackets, etc.), a free haircut, backpacks, classroom necessities, and more. All this while they gobble down hotdogs, popcorn and ice pops. It is the beginning of building their self-esteem and inclusion among their classmates.
School Supplies for the Teachers
We also cannot forget the teachers. We will be evaluating each situation and what the teachers need most to teach their classroom about diversity and equality. Whether it is STEAM projects, literature, art projects or even making a "safe area" in their classroom where a child can decompress and learn to express themselves, we will either cover the needs or provide what we can including snacks to help keep their tummies full .
Empowering Others
"Empowering literally means to "put in" or "to cause" power as derived from its Latin roots. The act of empowering children is a process of guiding them to feel and believe that they are powerful now as well as creating optimum conditions that mirror back to them these concepts. Empowering others doesn't necessarily come naturally to everyone! Good news is that it is a learnable skill." Today's children look up to all of us for guidance, compassion, learning and most of all acceptance. We, you and me, need to teach these children that they are important. To quote Kathryn Stockett from "The Help": "You is Kind. You is Smart. You is important." Every child needs to know this.
