Each fall, west valley children in transitional kindergarten through 12th grade begin school in shoes that are too small, pants with holes, or clothing that is not seasonally appropriate.
In our communities almost ⅓ of area households do not earn enough money to meet their family’s basic needs - food, housing, transportation. The current hike in gas prices, food and rent adds additional burdens to families who are already struggling. When a family is unable to afford basic needs, they also struggle with giving their children items that are essential for school success.
West Valley Community Services created the Back to School with Dignity Program twenty years ago to address these very issues and ensure that tomorrow’s leaders - our community’s young people - have the basic tools they need to start the school year off successfully. The program is about more than clothes and school supplies. It is about making sure low income and unhoused kids start the school year off ready to learn. This annual program benefits low income and unhoused children in pre-kindergarten through 12th grade in our community.
This year, we will host the program on August 6, and return to an in-person format for the first time since 2019. Children will be paired with an adult volunteer chaperone who will assist them with choosing the clothing they need for school. Then, each child will receive a gift card for a new pair of shoes, a backpack with supplies, and breakfast.
For more information about Back to School 2022 or to sign up to volunteer, click here.
This year, more than 280 children have already signed up to participate, and we anticipate serving many more by the time school starts in August. As with all things, this program is made possible by the generous support of individual, foundation, and corporate donors. Big thanks to our compassionate community for coming together to help our community’s young people prepare for a successful school year ahead!