Each year, countless young students in New Jersey attend their first day of school without basic educational tools such as backpacks, notebooks, and calculators. During the 2023 Jersey Cares School Supply Drive, Jersey Cares joined forces with 64 public schools, children’s shelters, and community centers, united in the mission to ensure no child in New Jersey begins the school year without these vital supplies. This year, Jersey Cares successfully distributed essential school supplies to 4,485 under-resourced students prior to the start of the school year.

In a time where we’re witnessing a decline in educational attainment among American students, accompanied by widening gaps between the highest and lowest scoring learners, it’s imperative to ensure students are well-prepared before the school year begins. Not only do these supplies equip students, they also play a pivotal role in boosting their self-confidence. As Arthur Ashe said, “one important key to success is self-confidence. An important key to self-confidence is preparation.”

This was demonstrated through Jersey Cares’ collaboration with the East Orange School District, focusing on the students under the New Jersey McKinney-Vento Education for Homeless Children and Youth Program. This state-driven program offers crucial services to homeless students, ensuring their enrollment and regular attendance in school. Ultimately, the program aims to guide students to high school graduation, steering them away from poverty and homelessness as adults. Jersey Cares provided school supplies to hundreds of students in East Orange, many of whom are enrolled in the McKinney-Vento program.

“Having these supplies from Jersey Cares is pertinent to the ongoing success of our scholars,” said Demetrisha Barnes, East Orange School District Parent & Community Specialist. “Many of our scholars would be unprepared daily without the generosity of Jersey Cares. McKinney-Vento students and others experiencing extenuating circumstances were able to begin the school year prepared with backpacks and school supplies.”

These school supplies not only equip and empower students facing challenging circumstances by boosting their confidence, but also significantly alleviate the burdens faced by parents and teachers alike.

“We have a few families who are experiencing displacement and have a lack of resources right now. The Jersey Cares School Supply Drive took the burden off those parents. They didn’t have to worry about providing for their children,” said Mutahannah Peacock, Social Worker at the Dionne Warwick Institute in East Orange. “Many of our students often rely on teachers to make personal purchases for students. The School Supply Drive not only filled this void but also helped in recruiting parents to join the PTO.”

In 2023, Jersey Cares registered 141 School Supply Drive collection sites each lead by a self-designated volunteer leader. With guidance from the Jersey Cares team, these volunteer leaders played a critical role in mobilizing their extended networks –  family, friends, neighbors, and colleagues – to collect school supplies on behalf of the cause. 

Building on the success of the 2023 School Supply Drive, Jersey Cares is steadfast in its commitment to uplifting the lives of children in New Jersey. With your support, we can positively impact even more young lives as we approach the tail end of the year. In this spirit, Jersey Cares invites you to participate in our upcoming initiatives:

• Halloween Costume Drive (Ending October 18^th)
• Coat Drive (November 8^th – January 7^th)
• Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service (January 12^th – 15^th)

Each of these initiatives plays a vital role in supporting children across many aspects of their lives. Your investment will play a vital role in cultivating self-confidence among countless youth in New Jersey, shaping a brighter future for them. Please click on the respective links to learn more about these initiatives, or reach out to Evan Lewis at evan@jerseycares.org.