08/16/2026
The first week of school is the absolute best week. And also one of the hardest. Weâve been so excited for our kids to return to schoolâbecause theyâre safe and fed and noticed and loved there. But they donât all show up easily.
This week, weâve purchased socks and underwear. Made evening visits the night before the first day to drop off hygiene products and give instructions. One student had visible plaque between their teeth, and it turns out they hadnât had a toothbrush or toothpaste this summer. No one had noticed.
Weâve arranged for a haircut after a student didnât show up to school for the first two days because they didnât have one and were embarrassed. And we drove them to it when they had no one willing to take them.
Weâve traveled to another county to bring one of our students to Shelby for a hair appointment so that they could be presentable to start school elsewhere now that theyâre in DSS custody. And when we learned they didnât have any school clothes or supplies either, we made sure they did before we took them back.
Weâve met a need for football cleats for a first-time athlete who is over the moon to play football this year in seventh grade. âNext week we start real games,â they said, âand weâre gonna be traveling ALL over the place!â Taking a bus to neighboring counties is their equivalent of traveling abroad.
Weâve visited by FaceTime with one of our students who went into foster care last year. Theyâre somewhere else now, but occasionally, fate gives us the opportunity to tell them how much we still care, like when weâre dropping off supplies to another student and they just so happen to be there on the phone.
And weâve done some other really hard things, too. Like tell one of our recent graduates at the eleventh hour that they canât actually afford college this fall given all the other factors in their situation if they want to avoid crippling debt. Their response spoken through a lump in their throat? âWhat am I going to do with my life?â We donât know. But weâll help them figure it out.
There are so many nearly insurmountable things we encounter in this work, but the only thing we know for absolute certain is what the outcome will be if we donât try. So, we forge ahead until every one of our kiddos is accounted for and where theyâre supposed to be. Even if it takes days. Is exhausting. Requires resources. Brings heartache. Because we truly believe that every child deserves at least one caring adult whoâs willing to support them through hard things. And we are so grateful to be able to give them that opportunity.
So, if youâve donated hygiene supplies, clothing, school supplies, money, or anything else that helps us meet them where they are, thank you for helping to give them that opportunity, too.
https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/donation-form/back-to-school-support-2
