| United Way’s Stuff the Bus campaign aims to increase school readiness of homeless youth and lessen the financial burden of back-to-school expenses on their families. According to the National Retail Federation, families with school-age youth plan to spend an average of $890 on school supplies. New school supplies are essential for success in school, work, and life. By providing students with essential school supplies, our campaign helps pave the path to academic success by ensuring that students start the school year with the tools they need to learn and be successful.
Over 7,500 youth have been identified as homeless in Ventura County. The high cost of school supplies remains a challenge to low-income families during back-to-school season. Studies show that students with barriers to school readiness have increased absenteeism, developmental delays, poor literacy, and decreased emotional well-being. As a result, students who come from low-income families are 7 times more likely to drop out of school than those from families with higher incomes. With your support, we can help increase school readiness among homeless youth in our community, increase their self-esteem, and help them stay in school. |
