Imagine yourself in junior high and high school. Changes were occurring in your life: new schools, new friends, new things happening to your body. It was a lot to navigate at the time, but you made it through.
Now, imagine going through those changes without deodorant. Or a toothbrush. Or a full stomach before you headed off to school. These are the challenges Student Success Stores is aiming to tackle.
In 2015, The United Way of Central Ohio asked the community for innovative ideas to reduce poverty. Two AmeriCorps Alumni, Nicole Hebert-Ford and Jason Phillips, submitted a proposal that we know as Student Success Stores today. Out of four finalists that would pitch their idea at the United Way of Central Ohio’s Pitch to Ditch Poverty event, Student Success Stores received the most support from event attendees, won the pitch, and fundraised $7,500. The first stores opened at Champion Middle School, Columbus Global Academy, and Mifflin Middle School in the 2016-2017 academic year.
Student Success Stores, our July/August Easton Community Foundation partner, exists to meet the basic needs of students in grades 6-12 from economically disadvantaged communities and to remove barriers to learning that can be created when life necessities are unavailable. The organization creates free, anonymous stores inside schools and fills them with hygiene products, easy-to-eat food items, school-code clothing, and school supplies. By supplying students with the essentials, Student Success Stores aims to ensure that each child starts the school day healthy, confident, and ready to learn.
In the 2023-2024 school year, more than 43,000 basic needs items were provided to over 2,000 unique students throughout Columbus and the results speak for themselves.
- 86% of students said with the items they received in the store, they felt MORE ready to learn.
- 72% of students said with the items they received in the store, they felt MORE able to focus in the classroom.
- 79% of students said with the items they received in the store, they felt MORE like they belonged at school.
- 81% of students said with the items they received in the store, they felt MORE positive toward themselves.
Student Success Stores partners with school counselors, administrators, teachers, and non-profits to open the stores in schools serving students living in poverty. Stores are located within school around Columbus and school personnel are identified to “shop” with the students with dignity and privacy.
The vision of Student Success Stores is quite simple. They want to be in every school that needs them. Their dream? For every child to start the school day healthy, confident, and ready to learn. Learn more about Student Success Stores here and consider making a donation to support their efforts.
The Top 10 Most Requested Items:
- Hair care and styling products including curl cream, shampoo and conditioner for curly/kinky/natural hair types
- Body wash
- Face wash
- Lotion
- Toothbrush
- Deodorant
- Men’s underwear XS-XL
- Earbuds
- Pencil cases
- Full size laundry detergent bottles
Inspired by the work of this local non-profit does? Volunteer with Student Success Stores or host a drive to collect items of need.
