Stamford 'Back To School Shop' Event A Success

From Back to School Shop: Back to School Shop, Inc., an all-volunteer community organization, held its fourth annual event on Sunday, July 29th, at Davenport Ridge Elementary School in Stamford. Nearly three 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 250 volunteers from the community helped to make the event a resounding success.

The day began with a ribbon cutting ceremony to open the 2018 Back to School Shop. Meryl Japha and Jane Levene, co-founders of the organization, welcomed the guests and expressed their thanks to the volunteers and supporters who make Back to School Shop possible. They introduced the state and local area dignitaries on hand to help kick off this year’s event. U.S. Senator Chris Murphy addressed the volunteers saying, “when children don’t have the things that many of us take for granted, they aren’t in a position to learn. Learning is a mindset…this program is part of a community effort to ensure that every child shows up to school ready to learn and confidant to learn.” State Senator Scott Frantz, State Representatives William Tong and Caroline Simmons, both long-time supporters of Back to School Shop, And Dr. Tamu Lucero, Deputy Superintendent of Stamford Public Schools all expressed their support for the Back to School Shop program and thanked the gathered volunteers for work on behalf of the children of Stamford. Representative Patricia Billie Miller said that Back to School Shop was particularly meaningful to her because of her own low-income childhood. She told those in attendance “if it wasn’t for people like you who care, I wouldn’t be standing here today.”

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, backpacks, underwear and socks, as well as school supplies and a large assortment of books. The children were excited by the number and variety of items and couldn’t wait to get started. “I love everything” said 6 year old Alexander as he surveyed the shop” “This is awesome! I’m going to look so cool in school” said another young shopper.

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. Sue Plutzer has volunteered each year since the inaugural Back to School Shop event. “As a former teacher I know what a difference it makes to children to feel good about the clothes and supplies they have when they start back to school. This event helps to level the playing field for the participating children. It is also incredibly empowering for them to be able to make their own choices among so many really wonderful options.”

Although most of the 250 Back to School Shop volunteers are members of the Stamford community, a number of volunteers came from out of town to support the event. Beth Mundy, from Portland, Maine, learned about Back to School Shop from a friend. I’m so glad I was able to come help. It was a wonderful experience—well worth the drive!” Kathy Joerman, a first time volunteer from near Binghamton, New York, also heard about Back to School Shop from a friend. “A program like this would mean so much in my community” she said, ”I would love to find a way to get it started.” In addition, several Hartford residents signed up as volunteers so that they could experience the program firsthand and speak to organizers with the hopes of starting a similar program in Hartford.

While the children were busy “shopping,” their parents and guardians visited the Japha Family Resource Center where twenty local organizations provided information about important community services. New this year,the Connecticut Yankee Boy Scout Council explained the scouting program to children and their parents, and signed up over 130 boys and girls who were interested in becoming Scouts. The Girl Scouts were also new participants this year, and they provided craft activities for younger siblings waiting in the child pick-up room. Some additional participating organizations included Boys and Girls Club of Stamford, Child Guidance Center of Southern CT, Schoke Jewish Family Service, City of Stamford Department of Social Services, Building One Community, Domus, United Way and Community Action Agency of Western CT, Inc.

Outside the event, children and parents had an opportunity to visit The Ferguson Library Bookmobile, where many applied for a library card, and explore a fire engine courtesy of the Stamford Fire Department.

When children finished their shopping and met up with their parents in the Child Pick-Up area there was much excitement as the children showed parents their new sneakers, coats, backpacks and other items. Many of the children were already wearing their new sneakers, and one young shopper was so excited that he insisted on wearing his new winter gloves out of the shop despite the 82 degree temperature.

For more information about the Back to School Shop, please visit www.backtoschoolshop.org

Images via Back to School Shop