We have come to the close of an impactful year! Thousands of needs were met through 211 calls, meal and hygiene kit builds, backpack builds, our funded partners’ unique services and so much more! Read on for stories that highlight...
A Fair Shot: Advocating for a Young Student’s Disability Rights
Our daughter, Hailey, is sitting in the back seat, humming along to whatever made-up song is playing in her mind. She looks like any seven-year-old girl. “You wouldn’t know it to look at her,” people have said, referring to her cognitive disability....
Packing an Impact: A Tool for Academic Success
Deanna Johnson anxiously stood at the check-in desk, waiting to receive her student ID for her freshman year at Owens Community College. The process may seem simple - possibly even a burden - to most, but it was a big...
Becoming a Real Man: Building Relationships One Chapter at a Time
“Dominic, are you paying attention?” asked Mrs. Janice in a serious voice. To be honest, I wasn’t paying attention. I was talking to Daniel about the new toy car my cousin gave me yesterday. That’s more exciting than reading a story. I don’t...
A New Day of Hope: Affordable Child Care Solutions to Help Families Succeed
Exhaustion. That is the only word I could think of to explain how I felt walking into my Granny’s house that night. The day had begun bright and early, with an interior paint job in West Toledo. My next job took me to...
Finding Superhero Powers: Early Education Support for both Parents and Children
Looking at my sweet son Jamile pretending to be superhero as he “flies” across the room, one would never suspect he has a learning disability. Yet he does. And, if anyone understands what this hurdle is like it’s me. In fact, it’s...
A Love for Learning: Helping Kids Find their True Potential
“Mom, I hate school!” Yelled 9-year-old Josiah as his mother questioned him about his low grades. “You just don’t understand. I’ll never be as smart as the other kids.” Tonya knew that her son could achieve anything he put his mind to. She...
AVID: Be Better, Every Time
A school is like a theater, and each classroom a stage. Well lit. Tables, desks, and chairs. Set decorations to match the subjects taught within. Mine, however, is an AVID classroom. My walls are adorned with posters, college pennants, and enough blank space...
The Last Pencil: Having Supplies for our Students
“Mrs. Thompson!” shouted Louis in a very disgruntled tone. His little arms crossed, barely able to see over my desk. “What’s wrong? Why the long face?” I said with a smile. He took a deep breath, “My pencil broke and it’s the last one...
A Path to Success: Finding Potential From A Big Brother
Three years ago, I was really struggling, feeling unmotivated and honestly… I felt worthless. In addition to my school studies, I was responsible for taking care of my aging and disabled grandmother, who suffered from heart disease and COPD. There was so much...