Students get new school gear via events in Riverside County

Two recent Back to School Resource Fairs in Riverside County provided necessary school supplies and other essentials to 1,465 students, the Office of Education announced last week.

“Fresh footwear, a new backpack stuffed with school supplies, a stylish haircut, a dental cleaning and exam, and an overall health physical” for the children comprised the two back-to-school fairs along with more than 2,300 community members who attended, according to the Office of Education. The first fair was held July 30 in the Lake Elsinore Unified School District at the Jean Hayman Training Center, and the other event was Aug. 3 in the Alvord Unified School District at La Sierra High School.

“The rising costs of school supplies and the student and parent expectations ahead of a new year can be stressful for families,” Riverside County Superintendent of Schools Edwin Gomez said in a statement. “A sense of physical and emotional wellness, and even a new pair of shoes or a backpack, can help build confidence for students and set a positive tone for the first day of the school year. We are grateful for our district partners who hosted these events for their communities, along with all of our partners who have generously donated time, services, and supplies.”

The free-admission resource fairs were open to students in foster care and families experiencing homelessness or at risk of being unhoused.

Participating service providers were GeriSmiles, All Kids Health and cosmetology students from Advance Beauty Techs Academy, and 32 community agencies attended to provide information to families and students.

Soles4Souls, an international nonprofit that fights poverty, donated 1,750 pairs of shoes and 4,000 pairs of socks. Soles4Shoes volunteers had a pop-up “shoe store” at the fairs working toward the organization’s goal of providing a new pair of shoes for every child.

Kaiser Foundation Health Plan Inc. conducted a backpack giveaway at the company’s three medical centers in Riverside County. Over 1,800 backpacks filled with school supplies were received from employees, patients and Kaiser’s vendors.

Bombas Socks, Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority and Supply Bank also provided donations.

More information on accessing services or other back-to-school needs is available from McKinney Vento Homeless Youth Services at studentservices@rcoe.us or Foster Youth Services Coordinating Program Unit at the Office of Education at 951-826-4700 or FYSCP@rcoe.us.

PSUSD Foundation announces $20K grant for students’ shoes

The Foundation for Palm Springs Unified School District received a $20,000 grant to buy new shoes for students for the upcoming school year, the organization announced Monday.

An Impact Grant from the H.N. and Frances C. Berger Foundation and News Channel 3 will help about 2,500 students who are socioeconomically disadvantaged, the foundation reported.

Over 97% of PSUSD students are disadvantaged, with approximately 12% living in unstable conditions and at least 2% confirmed to be experiencing homelessness, officials said.

“The Shoe Distribution Program is a simple yet powerful way to help the next generation in our community rise above their circumstances,” PSUSD Foundation Director Ellen Goodman said in a statement. “This type of support lays the groundwork for students to reach their full potential.”

This is the third annual Shoe Distribution Program, which is a partnership involving the PSUSD Board of Education, the district superintendent and the foundation, a nonprofit “that pilots and underwrites existing, underfunded initiatives,” foundation officials said.

A study found that 100% of students who received new shoes were “confident to express opinions with classmates,” compared with 35% who felt confident prior to receiving the gifted shoes, according to the foundation. The same study, which was not identified, also noted modest gains in academic confidence, social engagement and athletic confidence in just the first several weeks.

“Well-fitting shoes are a back-to-school essential, as important as backpacks and pencils,” Catharine Reed, vice president of charitable programs for the Berger Foundation, said in a statement. “The Foundation for PSUSD is addressing a fundamental need that is necessary for both physical health and psychological well-being.”

More information about the foundation and the Shoe Distribution Program is online at psusdfoundation.net/shoes.