By COLE REIF
Great Bend Post
When USD 428 Director of Teaching and Learning JoAnn Blevins went to the National Homeless Education Conference in November, she had the opportunity to learn about the Soles4Souls program. The organization partners with schools across the United States to get new athletic shoes to children who are experiencing homelessness.
After reaching out to bring the initiative to the Great Bend school district, Blevins heard back from Soles4Souls in March.
"They get a lot of requests," said Blevins. "I thought I would put my name out there and see what happens. They got back to us, and we have started a partnership with them."
USD 428 will receive 50 pairs of name-brand shoes and socks, varying in sizes, to be distributed to students. Blevins said the shoes will first go to children with a McKinney-Vento status. The McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act is a federal law that ensures homeless children and youth have equal access to education.
"The only ask that they have is that we collect impact stories," said Blevins. "That could be the survey they have that families can fill out about their experience, students drawing a picture or writing a note. They share those with donors. That also gives them a chance to see the impact of that donation."
Along with increasing the students’ confidence, getting new shoes can result in children attending school more regularly and becoming more physically active.