Belmont Street Businesses for Brockton Kids

Non-profit aims to alleviate out-of-pocket financial burdens for local teachers and families as nationwide supply shortages persist.

BROCKTON, MA – August 2026 – Today, the GrowHope Foundation announced the official launch of the Belmont Businesses for Brockton Kids summer campaign under its Goods for Hope initiative, aiming to double its donation numbers ahead of the upcoming school year. By launching community drives during the summer months rather than the early fall, the foundation intends to secure and distribute critical resources early, ensuring local students and teachers are fully equipped for the first day of school.

The Goods for Hope initiative focuses entirely on supporting children in underserved communities with the daily essentials they need to thrive, spanning from crucial school supplies to winter clothing and personal hygiene products. Working in direct alignment with the Brockton Public Schools’ Superintendent’s office and local educators, the GrowHope team identifies the specific, real-time needs of the student population.

This year's campaign is strengthened by a new partnership with Hope & Comfort Hygiene Hub in Needham, Massachusetts, a respected nonprofit dedicated to improving health, confidence, and school attendance by providing access to essential hygiene products.   

Through this partnership, GrowHope Foundation and Goods for Hope will expand the availability of toothbrushes, toothpaste, soap, shampoo, deodorant, and other personal care items for Brockton students and families. Together, the organizations are working to ensure that no child has to miss opportunities because they lack access to basic hygiene necessities.

The foundation's scaling efforts aim to tackle stark regional and national statistics. Nationally, 1-in-4 students currently lack essential school supplies, while 1-in-3 low-income families report severe difficulties affording basic household necessities like hygiene products. Furthermore, local educators are under deep financial strain, with the average teacher spending approximately $895 of their own money on classroom materials. Goods for Hope explicitly seeks to alleviate this localized financial stress for both families and teachers.

"Because we've been there, we don't only realize the need... we feel it," says Sesay T. Johnson, Founder of the GrowHope Foundation.

GrowHope is actively identifying corporate and community partners to scale its outreach and maximize its regional impact.   Local business owner and supporter Ricardo Cruz of Hometown Furnishings, 337 Belmont Street, Brockton, offers his space as a donation drop-off location for the over 200 businesses in the Belmont Street Business Corridor. “I moved to this neighborhood when I was a kid.  I went to the Arnone School. I want to help however I can.”  Helping one another benefits everyone and builds a strong community. 

Parties interested in supporting the summer drives or entering partnerships are encouraged to reach out via info@growhopefoundation.org.

About GrowHope Foundation

The GrowHope Foundation is a public foundation working in partnership with community organizations and private donors to provide quality education and life skills for youth through programs and outreach in rural and urban communities. Driven by a strong commitment to youth development and community empowerment, founder Sesay Johnson serves on the boards of several Massachusetts-based organizations whose work spans both the United States and Liberia. Backed by a dedicated team of 31 professionals—including educators, accountants, engineers, social workers, and business owners —GrowHope provides the outreach, advocacy, volunteer service, and funds required to support projects that systematically improve the lives of children and families. Learn more at: https://www.growhopefoundation.org/.