Monthly Archives: August 2009

From the Seattle Times

By ANNE D’INNOCENZIO, AP Retail Writer

To gauge consumers’ strain, look no further than the rows and rows of plastic bags awaiting layaway payments at Kmart. They are filled with back-to-school basics – not just T-shirts and jeans but notebooks, magic markers and pencils.

It is unheard of for layaway rooms to be so packed at back-to-school time and for the packages to include relatively cheap school supplies.

A record number of shoppers, shut off from credit and short on cash, are relying on Kmart’s layaway program to pay for all of their kids’ school needs, said Tom Aiello, a spokesman for Kmart’s parent Sears Holdings Corp. Layaway allows shoppers to pay over time, interest- free, and pick up their merchandise when it’s paid in full.

“It’s a sight. In the past, we would see layaway start to pick up around Halloween” as people get a jump start for Christmas, said David Travis, manager of a Kmart store in Conover, N.C.

Read the full story here: http://cli.gs/utM5Aa

Excerpted from the Kent Reporter, Brian Beckley

August 22, 2009

Nearly 200 children showed up Thursday to try and get one of 100 new backpacks stuffed with school supplies given out by the Kiwanis Club of Kent and Communities In Schools.

The Kiwanis Club of Kent and Communities in Schools of Kent teamed up with the Kent Parks and Recreation to have a “Backpack and School Supplies” giveaway for elementary students in the Kent School District.

According to Kiwanis President Dave Hobbs, people started lining up at the park an hour before the giveaway began. “It says this is a community in need,” he said. “There’s a lot of people struggling with the economy as it is.”

For the families who received the the green and orange packs, the donation of school supplies in a difficult economy meant the world to them.

“I have everything now for my kids,” said Maria Fernandez, whose 5-year-old Oswaldo heads to kindergarten this fall. “I can save up money for other things like clothes or tennis shoes for them.”

It was a common refrain throughout the park.

Amber Dresie was on hand to pick up a backpack for her daughter Caitlyn, eight. “It means a lot to my kid because she would otherwise not have school supplies,” Dresie said, adding that like others, spending money on school supplies would mean going without somewhere else. “It helps put food on the table.”

Communities In Schools treasurer and Kiwanis Club of Kent member Janet Stebbins said the backpack project took shape over the past few weeks as the clubs were looking for a project. Stebbins said the local schools support group Communities In Schools provided the backpacks and Kiwanis provided the supplies, but even she was taken aback by the number of people who showed up for the event.

“I’m a little shocked,” she said. “I think it says this is a tough economy and people need help.

Because organizers were overwhelmed by the turnout, not every child received a backpack. However, the Kiwanis and Communities In Schools took down names of the other students and said they would be working to collect supplies for them as well. Anyone interested in donating school supplies or money for supplies should call Janet Stebbins at 253-709-9559.

“If you’ve got the means to donate, do so,” said Kiwanis President Dave Hobbs.

Washington State Superintendent of Public Instruction, Randy Dorn

Join us to hear State Superintendent Randy Dorn’s comments at the Federal Way Chamber of Commerce Luncheon, September 2nd at Twin Lakes Golf and Country Club.

Communities In Schools invited Mr. Dorn to speak regarding the relationship between business and education and how we can work together to bring success to students and to the community.

Tickets are $20 ($25 at the door) for Chamber members and $45 for non-members. RSVP by emailing federalway@federalwaychamber.com or call 253-838-2605.

With the school year fast approaching and many families feeling the pain of a harsh economy, we are happy to announce The Spokane Indians are joining our efforts to match every child in need with a backpack full of school supplies.

Fans attending the August 26th game against the Boise Hawks are urged to bring donated, new schools supplies and receive $1 off admission. There will be drop off bins inside all ticket gates.

Big thanks to the Indians and Holy Family Hospital and 98.1 KISS FM for sponsoring an event that will bring big smiles to the faces of many kids next month!

We are in the final three weeks of our summer giving campaign and need 250 new gifts before the start of the school year. Will you consider helping us reach our goal?

We need 25 Youth Champions to make a online donation and then recruit ten of their Facebook friends to do the same. Ten small gifts can change the life of a young person. Learn more about what your donation can do at http://schoolscantdoitalone.org

Join us by emailing lily@ciswa.org or dennis@ciswa.org, by Tuesday, August 18th, and help us turn more lives around.

By connecting young people with mentors & tutors and meeting their material needs, we help kids come to school prepared to learn. And it works. Our kids overwhelmingly improve attendance, behavior, academic performance, and dramatically increase their chances of success.

Share your passion for education with others. Spread the word. Be the change.

Your friends at Communities In Schools,
Dennis and Lily

The results are in from the Communities In Schools of Federal Way mentoring surveys given to mentors, the families of young people mentored, and participating school staff. Federal Way started its mentoring program to offer kids the emotional support they need to grow their skills in problem solving, goal setting, confidence building, and social understanding.

Tim and Tyson: Mentor and Mentee

Depending on the survey topics, fifty to ninety percent of the young people in the program have a better attitude, improved behavior, improved confidence, and in general try harder. And so critical to life success, they have better relationships with adults and an understanding that education creates opportunity.

Parents, teachers and school counselors all praise the program. “They’re all basically smart, good kids but they’re unsettled and anxious. Their mentors help them understand that we’re all trying to help and genuinely want them to succeed,” remarked one teacher. “When they understand that a whole new world opens up to them.”

Nicole and Memory

Likewise the mentors themselves describe the transformation they see in their kids. “It’s so gratifying to see a child who’s struggling continue to improve week after week,” says mentor Dean Anderson. Other mentors describe the personal growth they experience as mentors. Says Darcy Webb, “I am in [school] management so I don’t have a chance to work with kids very often. It’s rewarding to have the opportunity to get to make a difference in the life of a young person.”

One of the most important factors that determine youth success is the involvement of a caring adult – a healthy relationship with someone they can depend on and who bring out the best in them. You can be that adult. Learn more how you can connect with a young person and change their life.