Posted on September 20, 2024 This summer, thanks to the incredibly generous support from donors across our city and state, the Coalition for the Homeless’ annual Project: Back to School drive was an outstanding success. Because so many New Yorkers stepped up to show how much they care about the thousands of children living in shelters, the Coalition was able to fill more than 5,500 new backpacks with the supplies students need to succeed in the new school year. And our 2024 Project: Back to School drive was even more exciting this year as the Coalition was invited to CBS News Studios to speak about the program. Coalition for the Homeless Executive Director said it best while sharing the couch with CBS News Anchor Natalie Duddridge on CBS News at 9. “We started the program about 15 years ago when we saw that the parents of kids in shelters were saving every penny that they had to try and move out in permanent housing. And something as simple as a backpack filled with school supplies was just unaffordable. Now these kids are already having a really hard time. It is very traumatic for a child to fall into homelessness; to be uprooted from their neighborhood and everything familiar to them, to move to a shelter that might be a long commute from their school. Living in a shelter there is often no quiet place to study. And it’s sad but kids are often teased in school for being homeless, for living in a shelter. So we thought one thing we could do is at least allow them on that first day of school to show up with a backpack full of school supplies so they are able to not stand out and go in with some confidence”. With more children living in New York City Shelters than ever before, supporting these great kids with a backpack full of supplies – something a housed student may take for granted – is only a small gesture, but helps level the playing field and gives them a chance to kick off their academic year strong. Thank you again to all who supported PBTS for your compassion and commitment to helping homeless children access the educational opportunities every child in our city deserves. Don’t forget! Though Project: Back to School has concluded, there are still ways to support homeless students this year. Bound for Success is the Coalition’s after-school program providing one-on-one tutoring, recreational activities, and emotional support to school children in shelters. We hope you’ll consider making a back-to-school gift to help these kids achieve a brighter future!
