School uniform drive comes up big in Surprise, West Valley

Seniors from the thriving Optum Community Center in Surprise recently delivered a donation of school uniforms to support children in the youth programs at Wesley Community and Health Centers’ Golden Gate branch.

The donation included 406 tops, 336 bottoms, 130 pairs of shoes, 700 pairs of socks and 236 pairs of underwear.

Over about a month, seniors from six Optum Community Centers across the Valley gathered these items to benefit the children of Wesley Golden Gate. The handoff took place Sept. 19 during a small event held at the Optum Community Center in Surprise.

Wesley Golden Gate, located in Phoenix’s Maryvale neighborhood, serves children from low-income families.

Jaren Trost, Ben Brock, and Chloe Conklin played pivotal roles in launching this partnership. Early discussions identified a critical need for school uniforms in Wesley Golden Gate’s youth programs.

Conklin led the uniform drive that spanned Optum Community Centers throughout the Valley, collecting uniforms, shoes, underwear, socks, and gently used clothing for boys and girls aged 5 to 15.

Organizers said the drive providing much-needed support to the community and also fostering a meaningful partnership with Wesley Golden Gate.

“This entire event was an incredible success,” said Ben Brock, Optum director of engagement. “We’re fostering a meaningful partnership with Wesley Golden Gate, an organization that does so much good. But more importantly, we’re helping to provide our community with much-needed support.”

The families served by Wesley Golden Gate are among the poorest in Phoenix. Each year, the center provides care to more than 85 children aged 6 and older.

Located in the 85009 ZIP code, this area faces high unemployment, with child poverty rates at 42% and senior poverty at 24%. About one-third of the local population was born outside the U.S., and 70% speak a language other than English at home.

All children at Wesley Golden Gate receive free school meals and attend one of 15 nearby Title 1 schools.

Over 95% of the youth are Hispanic, and more than 75% are English language learners. Wesley Golden Gate strives to offer unique experiences and opportunities that these children might not otherwise have access to.