Partners Make “Back to School Bash” a Success

by Nicole Morrow

  

School supplies, new shoes, and information for healthy living were what the residents at our East Hills Village site received at the recent back to school event. Phoenix Family Housing and the KC Urban Youth Center jointly organized this back to school event for the families that are served in the East Hills Village complex. One hundred and fifty students live in this apartment complex in the heart of Kansas City, Missouri. In addition, to daily programming offered to these students, we committed to send students back to school prepared. A total of sixty-six backpacks full of age appropriate school supplies were distributed through a generous donation from Project SOS. Through a staff connection with Payless Shoe Stores, employees from seven local Payless Shoes stores donated 40 pairs of brand new shoes to East Hills Village. KC Urban Youth Center site counselor

  
and former Payless employee, Jessica Beha, said about the shoe drive, "Last year we only had five people participate in the shoe drive and this year we had seven stores! The Payless employees were very excited to help out with the shoe drive and many individuals went above and beyond to help out these families that couldn't afford to buy new shoes for their children." In addition, Health organizations from across the city participated in this event by providing students and their families with vital information on issues such as fire safety, domestic violence prevention, and local clinics.