While it may seem like the school year just ended, Hephzibah is already in Back to School mode to ensure that the hundreds of children in our Family Based Services programs have just what they need to start the school year on the right foot. Planning is underway for the August back to school Shopping Party when foster care families, intact families and families in our family support program can “shop” for free for the essential school supplies their children need when classes resume.
“Our families have very limited resources and aren’t able to purchase the necessary educational supplies their children need to learn and be fully engaged in the classroom,” says Julie Dvorsky, director, Family Based Services. “The Back to School Shopping Party gives parents the opportunity to make sure their children are prepared and ready to learn.”
Through the generosity of individual donors, and community and corporate groups including Mattress Firm, HCB Health, Avis Budget and UPS, the children can start the school year with the supplies they need including notebooks, markers, folders, pencils, rulers and more. Between now and August 3, Hephzibah is accepting donations for the Back to School party for foster kids. Hard-to-find items that are listed on many schools’ supply lists are especially needed.
Donations should be marked for “Foster Kids Back to School Party” and delivered to the Hephzibah offices at 1144 Lake Street, 5th Floor, Oak Park.
Items needed include:
kids scissors
small bottles of glue or glue sticks
Crayola Markers (sets of 8 or 10)
pencil sharpeners
pencil cases
colored pencil sets
plastic rulers
packs of notecards
binder divider sets
graphing calculators
headphones
paper towels
Lysol brand wipes
tissues
hand sanitizer