Shopping Spree for Disadvantaged Children

Remember the excitement of back to school shopping for new clothes and supplies? Unfortunately, many disadvantaged students in Stamford can’t have that experience like their more fortunate classmates. Many return to school without clothes that fit, warm coats, and required school supplies. Too often these children feel stigmatized and excluded. The Back to School Shop was founded to help them.

The Back to School Shop, an all-volunteer community organization, held its second annual event on Sunday, July 31st, at Davenport Ridge Elementary School in Stamford. Nearly two hundred children from the Stamford Public elementary schools were able to “shop” free of charge for brand new back-to-school outfits and school supplies in a department store-like setting, with the help of volunteer “personal shoppers.” Over 150 volunteers from the community helped to make the event a resounding success.

The day began with a ribbon cutting ceremony to open the Back to School Shop for 2016. Meryl Japha and Jane Levene, two Stamford women who founded and co-chaired the event, led the ceremony for area dignitaries and Back to School Shop supporters. Earl Kim, new Superintendent of the Stamford Public Schools remarked that the event was “a wonderful introduction to the Stamford community, with the amazing outpouring of volunteerism,” and thanked everyone who made the day possible. Also on hand for the ceremony were State Representatives William Tong and Caroline Simmons, Dr. Tamu Lucero, Assistant Superintendent of Schools for Elementary, Stamford Board of Education President Geoff Alswanger, Randall Skigen, Deputy Mayor and President of the Stamford Board of Representatives, Ellen Weber, President of United Jewish Federation of Stamford, New Canaan and Darien and a number of other local dignitaries.

Levene spoke of the importance of the event to the economically disadvantaged children in Stamford, saying, “We want all children to be able to pick out brand new clothes and school supplies for the start of school. We hope that this helps to give them the confidence and enthusiasm they need to focus on learning at school.” Japha expressed pride in the fact that Back to School Shop was able to increase the number of children served by almost 70% versus last year’s inaugural event, and together the co-founders thanked the many volunteers and donors who had made it possible: the Stamford Public School System and United Jewish Federation; Platinum Star Sponsors Al’s Angels, Audrey and Norbert Gaelen and Meryl and Ron Japha; and Gold Star Sponsors Fairfield County Community Foundation, Nan and Paul Gordon, The Louis J. Kuriansky Foundation CT, and O.Berk Company.

At the conclusion of the ribbon cutting ceremony, the Back to School Shop opened its doors to participants. Each child, who was preselected and registered by his or her school social worker, checked in, met a “personal shopper” and entered the school gymnasium, which had been transformed into a department store. There were racks and racks of winter coats and school clothes, a large sneaker fitting area, and tables full of gloves and hats (many hand-knitted by Back to School Shop volunteers), backpacks, underwear and socks, as well as school supplies and books. The children were amazed with the number and variety of items and couldn’t wait to get started. One excited child asked her personal shopper, “Are you sure we don’t have to pay for this?”

The personal shoppers helped the children make their way through the Shop, stopping at each area to select a winter coat, try on new school clothes, pick the perfect backpack, and most exciting for many, choose their new pair of sneakers. Said a volunteer in the sneaker department, “I think the kids were more excited about picking a new pair of sneakers than anything else. It felt so good to be able to help them find just the right pair and see the big smiles on their faces!”

The personal shoppers and other volunteers within the shop worked hard to make it a special and memorable experience for the children. Many volunteers expressed that they felt the day was as exciting for them as it was for the participants. Explained one returning volunteer “I didn’t think today could top the wonderful feelings I had from the event last year, but this year was even better!”

While the children were busy “shopping,” their parents and caregivers visited the Japha Family Resource Center where over a dozen local organizations provided information about healthcare and important community services. Participating organizations included AmeriCares Free Clinic, Child Guidance Center of Southern CT, Stamford Department of Health and Social Services, Stamford Office of Community Engagement, Community Action Agency of Western CT, Connecticut Legal Services, Hanna and Mazer Dental Group, Inspirica Stamford, Jewish Family Service, Kids in Crisis, Mom’s Demand Action for Gun Sense in America, and St. Joseph Parenting Center.

After completing their shopping, the children were escorted back to their parents and caregivers and were able to show off their new clothes and school supplies. One mother remarked of her children, “They have been so excited about coming here to go shopping. It means a lot to us.” A ten-year-old boy exclaimed, “This was the best day of my life!”

As the children left the event there were two more treats in store for them. First was a stop at the Ferguson Library bookmobile, where many parents and children filled out applications for library cards. Then, brand new this year was an ice cream truck with free ice cream for the participating children. What a perfect end to a magical day for so many Stamford children!

Photographs by Beth Shepherd Peters and Elaine Osowski