Together We Cope Sends Students Back to the Classroom in Style

Caption: Destiny and Eddie Torres of Blue Island were among 1,500 south suburban children who will head back to the classroom with a backpack filled with new school supplies through Together We Cope’s annual Back to School Program.

From pens, pencils and notebooks to ear buds, dry-erase markers and baby wipes, it takes a lot to equip even the youngest students for the school year ahead, with schools generating long lists of must-have items. The cost adds up quickly.

“The list is overwhelming,” said Krystal Moreno-Torres, a Blue Island mother. Fortunately, her 9-year-old son, Eddie, and 10-year-old daughter, Destiny, will be heading back to school in style with brand new backpacks filled with fresh school supplies, courtesy of the Back to School Program at Together We Cope.

This is so helpful,” Moreno-Torres said. “It’s really great. They give the kids the nicest things.”

Ruby Jones of Hazel Crest echoed the thought. “This is a godsend,” she said. “The list of what you have to buy fills up one sheet per child per grade.” The mother of 14-year-old twins and a 13-year-old, she said, “For me, that means 45 notebooks, 200 pencils, 100 pens–it’s amazing.”

The Tinley Park-based prevention agency helped get about 1,500 children ready for the classroom through the Back to School program, which is well supported by the community. Hundreds of donors responded generously to TWC’s request for a $20 gift, which covered the cost of providing a new backpack and a pre-packed box of school supplies appropriate to each grade level for one child. Others made additional donations of school supplies.

Families also received coupons to trim the cost of a back-to-school haircut for each child from Sports Clips in the Tinley Park-Orland Park area as well as Oak Lawn, and from Capri Beauty College in Oak Forest and Paul Mitchell School in Tinley Park. Each family got a clothing voucher worth $25 per child as well for Nu2u, the agency’s resale store at 17010 S. Oak Park Ave.

Those in the community who made the agency’s Back to School program a special project this year were Liberty Creative Solutions, whose employees donated 160 backpacks; Goodheart-Wilcox Solutions, whose staff raised $1,105; and Hope Christian Reformed Church, which donated 25 filled backpacks, among many other churches, groups and individuals.

“We’re so grateful for all of this support,” said Executive Director Kathryn Straniero. “It makes an enormous difference for so many children. We believe it’s essential for youngsters to be prepared to succeed in the classroom, and we are delighted to be able to help.”

Together We Cope is a nonprofit prevention agency based in Tinley Park that provides resources to families in temporary crisis in 27 south suburban communities, enabling them to stay in their homes. Of every dollar the agency receives, 93 cents goes to client programs and services. In 2014, TWC received its fourth four-star rating from Charity Navigator for sound fiscal management. For information, visitwww.togetherwecope.org.