Read the full story on the Boston Patch site here.
JUNE 29, 2018 BOSTON, MA—Cradles to Crayons®, a nonprofit organization that equips children from birth through age 12 living in homeless or low-income situations with the essential items they need to thrive, has launched its Ready for School initiative. The program, now in its 12th year, aims to ensure that children enter the school year confident, excited, and prepared to learn.
Although students are now kicking off summer vacation, Cradles to Crayons (C2C®) is one step ahead and preparing children for the new school year. This year’s program, presented by Blue Cross Blue Shield of MA, TJX Companies, Inc., and BrightSphere Investment Group, runs through September 30th and aims to serve 70,000 children. The program will distribute backpacks filled with new, age-appropriate school supplies as well as customized KidPacks complete with clothing, shoes, and other items needed to start the school year on the right foot.
Currently, more than 368,000 children in Massachusetts under the age of 12 live in low-income households and face the risk of “clothing insecurity” ─ being without reliable access to adequate, quality, seasonally appropriate, clean clothing. In such situations, children face disadvantages that can lead to long-term educational, economic, and health setbacks. Research supports the concept that when children are not prepared for school in their early years, their success is significantly compromised. Basic essentials like backpacks, school supplies, shoes, and clothing are critical tools that help children to turn curiosity and creativity into knowledge and success.
Lynn Margherio, Founder and CEO of Cradles to Crayons says, “We understand that school readiness goes beyond the items themselves. When a child’s clothing is worn out or doesn’t fit, or they don’t have the supplies they need, they feel different from their classmates and focus on their discomfort and embarrassment rather than applying themselves to learning. Through Ready for School we want to boost kids’ confidence and set them up for success in the classroom and beyond.”
About Cradles to Crayons
Cradles to Crayons launched in 2002 and has operations in Boston, Philadelphia, and Chicago. The nonprofit provides children from birth through age 12 living in homeless or low-income situations with the essential items they need to thrive—at home, at school, and at play. They supply these items free of charge by engaging and connecting communities. Cradles to Crayons collects new and high-quality used children’s goods and engages thousands of youth and adults in volunteer activities each year on behalf of local children in need. For more information, please visit www.cradlestocrayons.org/boston/.