The 2018 Girls' Grantmaking Project identified basic needs for homeless students (regardless of gender) as one of their funding priorities. They were excited to learn about the School Ready Program at Pillars and felt that it was a good way for them to be able to support their peers.
This program was created to ensure students experiencing homelessness have access to all the things needed to be prepared for school including supplies and appropriate school attire like coats, backpacks and gym shoes. But it isn't just for the beginning of the school year. Since students enter shelters all year long, the grant was created to support students whenever the need arose, helping the students feel prepared, confident and ready to focus on learning. To date, the program has supported 47 students.
One family who benefited from the program entered shelter last October with nine children. They moved to Wisconsin from Texas for a work opportunity but found themselves experiencing homelessness when that opportunity ended. Having never been through a Wisconsin winter, they were not sure what they would need and initially declined the voucher, thinking the clothes they had would work to get through the winter. As the weather grew colder, the family accepted the voucher for each of their children and were able to purchase warmer clothes to make it through the winter.
