Give Back-to-School

This week, two of my best friends started medical school. On Saturday, my youngest brother leaves for his first year of college. And no doubt, in the coming weeks, scores of Westchester kids and their thankful-for-September parents will be packing area Staples, Office Depots and Targets to stock up on everything from backpacks to pencils to Hannah Montana lunchboxes (I beg of you, don’t pick up the very last lunchbox—my first-grade bound cousin has already staked her claim on it).

But what about those local parents who can’t afford to buy their children a new pair of sneakers, or even new notebooks? Because, as I’m sure you know, although we live in an affluent suburb, there are thousands of disadvantaged families with young children. In fact, according to the most recent data available, there are some 25,000 kids under the age of 18 living below the poverty level in this county.

To help combat the problem, New Rochelle resident Connie Kennedy started the Back-to-School Clothes for Kids program, which provides much needed clothing and supplies to school-age children. Started 23 years ago, the program has helped clothe over 13,000 children throughout the county. Recently, I asked Connie a few questions about the program.

What made you want to start the program?
I started Back-to-School Clothes for Kids in the summer of 1985 after reading an article about the plight of homeless families living in motels in New York City. I decided to enlist friends and family to donate funds to clothe 10 of children of those families. The next year we clothed 25, the next year 100, etc. etc. Last year, with the help of many Westchester companies and individuals—families too—we clothed over 900 children.

Could you describe the campaign?
Here’s how the campaign works: With young children (ages 5 –12), sponsors receive a profile with a child’s first name, sizes and color preferences to use as a guide to purchase three outfits, underwear and socks, a backpack with supplies, and sneakers or a coat, whichever the child needs more. With this information, sponsors feel as if they know the child when they shop for them!
With teenagers, who are hard to fit and even harder to please, we have SWAT Nights (Shopping With A Teen). At a SWAT Night, teens come to the White Plains Galleria or the Jefferson Valley Mall with their social worker. Upon arrival, they are matched up with a volunteer and are given $175 to shop for clothes for school. For some teens, it’s the first time they have ever shopped in stores like Sears or Footlocker (who give us a very nice discount by the way!)
We feel getting this clothing speaks volumes to the kids we help by telling them that they are important and school is important. Our aim is to help these children have the best possible start in school. We want them to feel confident and often, new clothing is just the boost their self-esteem needs.

What types of children in Westchester does the program serve?
Although we live in one of the wealthiest counties in the country, Westchester has large pockets of poverty and great numbers of children and teens who live in less than optimal circumstances.
The children we help are nominated by various agencies throughout the county including Westchester Jewish Community Services, WestHELP, WESTHAB, and various Community Action Programs. As we are not a social services agency, we only can help kids referred to us by on of these agencies.

What is the aim this year?
Our aim this year is to clothe 1,000 children.

What can others do to help with the program and what types of clothes/supplies does each child receive?
We can send someone a profile of a younger child and they can buy clothing for that child. They would buy 3 tops and 3 bottoms, 3 sets of underwear and socks, sneakers or a coat (whichever the child needs more) and a backpack and school supplies. If they don’t want to shop and would prefer to make a donation, they can do so. Any amount – large or small – is appreciated and will fund the SWAT Nights.
We are often told by families that sponsoring a child is a great way for their own kids to learn and help a child who is not as fortunate as they are!

Want to help? Contact Back-to-School Clothes for Kids at (914) 697-2792 or send them an email at info@backtoschoolclothes.org. Tax-deductible contributions can be sent to: Back-to-School Clothes for Kids
PO Box 304
White Plains, NY 10605