San Francisco Moms Blog is proud to partner with My New Red Shoes, a Bay Area non-profit providing shoes and clothing to homeless and low-income children, this holiday season. Over 150,000 children in the Bay Area live below the poverty line, and these children fear being seen as “different” among their peers at school. My New Red Shoes has found that a lack of adequate clothing and shoes can be a barrier to school attendance and participation in the classroom and extracurricular activities, and they are doing something about it!
Started by Heather Hopkins in 2006, “My New Red Shoes believes the simple gift of confidence can transform a child’s academic, social and emotional experience.”
This past Back-to-School season, My New Red Shoes helped 10,011 children!
“Brandon and his mother arrived at the intake office with only a single duffel bag containing both of their belongings. Because they had left their abusive home in a state of emergency, Brandon was unable to grab all of his possessions including the shoes he uses to play soccer. To ensure his mother’s safety, he willingly left the school he used to attend (sacrificing his old friends) to relocate to a safe haven shelter. Brandon and his mother were traumatized and financially-stricken, but at the shelter, Brandon’s mother worked with a family advocate to access resources and slowly rebuild their lives. During this time, Brandon’s mother noticed he had little motivation to play soccer, a game he once loved. Instead, he spent most of his time playing video games and keeping to himself. Thanks to My New Red Shoes, Brandon received a pair of shoes that he could play soccer in. This has encouraged him to make friends at his new school and return to his old hobby. He now plays soccer every day after school.”
– story provided by MNRS
Here’s how YOU can help. San Francisco Moms Blog and My New Red Shoes have created an Amazon wishlist of shoes for these incredible children. When doing your holiday shopping this season, please considered purchasing a pair of shoes off this wishlist for a child in need.
The wishlist will be active until Christmas Day. Thank you in advance for your support. If you would like to learn more about My New Red Shoes or how to get involved visit mynewredshoes.org
Pictures courtesy of My New Red Shoes
