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Back to School Clothing Drive
by Michael Ferraresi
20 | CANYON CORRIDOR CONNECTION
Communi t y Highl ights
The first day of school is always an emotional
affair. It’s extra emotional for children whose
families struggle to outfit them with new clothes
and supplies for the year ahead.
There’s an added anxiety that comes with feeling
unprepared, teased or less than as classmates
are showing off their new duds. Those anxious
moments can cut into classroom productivity or
a child’s overall comfort with schoolwork.
The 21st annual Back to School Clothing Drive’s
“New Clothes, New Beginnings” summer
distribution aims to solve that problem by
linking underprivileged Valley children to the
shirts, shoes, backpacks and other supplies
their families cannot afford. More than 5,000
K-6 students from 140 schools in 40 districts
are expected to benefit from this year’s four-day
event at the GCU Arena.
It’s the third year GCU has hosted a nonprofit
organization dedicated to improving the
education and classroom experience of
Arizona kids. Children from dozens of Valley
school districts and community organizations
are paired with volunteers who shepherd
them through various “departments” set up
on the Arena floor, like having their own
personal shoppers.
Each child receives a couple of shirts, a
sweatshirt, shoes, a book, a backpack filled
with classroom supplies and other items — and
they get to select what they like independently,
without mom or dad around to make any pesky
suggestions about what looks cool.
Many volunteers return year after year because
they enjoy being able to play that role in a
child’s life.
“They really pay personal and specific attention
to these kids and give them that one-on-one time
with a volunteer to pick out what they want,”
said Karl Gentles, executive director for Back to
School Clothing Drive. “Everything we do at the
Arena and the event is about giving kids the very
best experience possible. Our volunteers help
them shop for clothes, find the right sizes and
pick items they will feel good about.”
About 3,000 volunteers are set to help out at
the event. Students each receive $300 worth of
clothes and school supplies and more than $2
million in clothes and supplies are given out
throughout the week.
Back to School Clothing Drive’s initiative
benefits students from Title I public elementary
schools and other programs, such as domestic
violence shelters and select charter schools.
Most come from families that face the difficult
decision of juggling material needs of children
with the immediate need to pay the rent and put
food on the table.
Gentles said GCU has become a valuable partner
in that effort because it is good for students who
sometimes don’t feel comfortable in an academic
setting to experience the people and atmosphere
of a fast-growing university campus.
“We believe Grand Canyon is a wonderful place
for kids to not only have their first experience
on a college campus, but to see what higher
education looks like and showing them what
continuing their education after elementary,
middle and high school looks like,” he said.
“New Clothes, New Beginnings” is a partnership
between Back to School Clothing Drive and the
BHHS Legacy Foundation Backpack Buddies
Program. The partnership sends 7,000 filled
backpacks to students in northern Arizona and
local social service agencies.
Contact Michael Ferraresi at 602-639-7030 or
Whether your teen is at that age where they no longer need a babysitter
for the day or you plan to leave them home alone overnight, you may feel
anxious about the situation. That’s normal, especially when leaving your
teen home without supervision or the first time. Save yourself the anxiety
by clearly communicating your expectations and guidelines for their
unsupervised time. When developing your guidelines and expectations,
consider these tips:
• Be clear about who is allowed and not allowed at your home while
you are away.
• Inform your neighbors, family and friends and ask that they check in
and can be a contact for your teen while you are away.
• Lock up or remove any alcohol, tobacco products and prescription
drugs that you have in your home.
• Explain the consequences to your teen should they disobey your rules.
No one knows your teen better than you do. Think about their behavior
and if they can be given this responsibility. Do they turn in their
homework on time? Are they completing their chores? How is their
behavior around their friends? Understanding their current behavior
will help indicate whether they are ready to stay at home unsupervised.
This may be a good time to emphasize the idea that freedom is earned by
consistently showing responsibility.
Consider this an opportunity for both you and your teen. It gives your
teen the chance to prove they are responsible and can be trusted with this
opportunity and it allows you the flexibility and freedom to spend time
outside of the home without the need to hire a babysitter. This valuable
growth experience can be positive with careful preparation and guidance.
Home Alone
by Thalia Williams
Children from the Corridor enjoy shopping
at the Back to School clothing drive