News | Press Release
United Way’s School Tools program is now an
affiliate of the Kids In Need national network
Rancho Cucamonga, CA (November 8, 2007) – Inland Empire
United Way (IEUW)’s School Tools was recently approved as an
affiliate of the Kids In Need national network of teacher
resource centers.
School Tools provides teachers from low-income schools with a
resource center where they can receive supplies for their
students at no charge. Located in Rancho Cucamonga, the School
Tools Teacher Resource Center (TRC) is available to teachers
from select schools in the Inland Empire United Way service area
with more than 70% of its students enrolled in the federal free
and reduced meal program. Teachers are able to choose from a
wide array of products including basic school supplies, fun
incentive items and arts and crafts supplies.
"The Kids In Need Foundation is very proud to add Inland Empire
United Way School Tools as the 24th member of the Kids In Need
affiliate network." said Dave Smith, Executive Director of the
Kids In Need Foundation. "It is especially rewarding to me
personally, as I have seen the development of the center from
the germination of an idea to a fully functional center. While
we want to continue to grow the network, there are several
requirements that need to be met in order to join. IEUW School
Tools met or exceeded all of the requirements. Among other
benefits, membership enables a center to participate in
available product distribution from our donors, network with
other affiliate members, and attend our annual summit."
Located throughout the country, the resource centers in the Kids
In Need national network serve an estimated 1.5 million students
and more than 100,000 teachers. Together they have distributed
more than $300 million worth of school supplies. The Kids In
Need affiliate program allows teacher resource centers to
operate independently, while at the same time providing the
benefits that come with being part of a larger group, such as
networking, sharing of best practices, and increasing purchasing
power.
IEUW School Tools teacher survey and program outcomes (results
from 2006-07) concluded some interesting statistics. Teachers
(from schools served by the School Tools program) estimated that
59% of their students' families cannot afford school supplies.
The percent of students having adequate supplies to complete
homework assignments increased from 4% (before participation in
School Tools) to 88% (after participation). 93% of teachers
indicated that they were able to expand or improve their
instruction as a result of participating in School Tools.
Since its launch in August 2006, the School Tools TRC has
distributed $333,174 worth of supplies, serving 19 schools. More
than 585 teacher visits have provided supplies to an estimated
17,550 local students.
Currently, the following schools are invited to visits to the
Teacher Resource Center to receive free supplies: Fontana
Unified School District (Almond Elementary, Juniper Elementary,
Maple Elementary, Poplar Elementary, Ted Porter Elementary,
Tokay Elementary), Cucamonga School District (Cucamonga
Elementary, Los Amigos Elementary), Chino Valley Unified School
District (Richard Gird Elementary), Pomona Unified School
District (Arroyo Elementary, Madison Elementary, Mendoza
Elementary, Kellogg Polytechnic Elementary, Roosevelt
Elementary, Westmont Elementary) and Upland Unified School
District (Baldy View Elementary, Cabrillo Elementary, Citrus
Elementary, Upland Elementary).
Visit the
IEUW KidSmart website.
Visit the
Kids In Need website.
Inland Empire United Way
Inland Empire United Way (IEUW)’s KidSmart Initiative
improves the lives of underprivileged children by ensuring they
come to school well fed, ready to learn, and equipped with tools
to learn and succeed. KidSmart partners with schools, companies,
organizations and volunteers to accomplish this goal through it
programs.
IEUW engages a caring community to respond to human need by
helping disadvantaged kids succeed in school, providing easy
access to health and social services, developing opportunities
for volunteers to create positive change, and strengthening
financial stability opportunities for low-income families and
individuals.
Contact: Lorraine Ousley, Inland Empire United Way
KidSmart Director
(909) 980-2857 ext. 203 or
lousley@ieuw.org
www.ieuw.org
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