Franklin Community Center’s Project Lift program held our annual Back-to-School Events on the evenings of Monday, August 26th and Wednesday August 28th. Hosted right here at FCC, the heartwarming events are designed to support local schools by helping children start classes with confidence, providing everything from school supplies and clothing to fresh haircuts and a bit of fun. This program ensures that Project Lift students from across the six Saratoga Springs elementary schools have essential school supplies, setting them up for a successful year. Joining forces this year are partners including Saratoga Children’s Literacy League, Walmart, Employee Family Protection, Robert James Salon and Roots Barber Co. We even had the 6th grade guidance counselors from Maple Avenue Middle School on hand to welcome the older students to their first year of middle school.
FCC’s Student Services Coordinator, Samantha Porcello, organized the events with the mission to bring Project Lift students out to spend some quality time together, connect with their Project Lift Family Outreach Coordinators before going back to school, and ensure they had the essentials to start the school year on the right foot. Events such as these provide necessities that specifically address the needs of local ALICE (Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed) populations. ALICE households often struggle to afford basic needs such as housing and childcare. In New York State, the ALICE population encompasses individuals and families with incomes above the federal poverty level ($26,000 for a family of four) but below the household survival budget ($75,800 for a family of four). This segment represents a significant yet often overlooked portion of our community facing challenges in affording essential needs.
The events featured a school supply station, where students were able to pick up backpacks filled with notebooks, pencils, pens, crayons, folders, etc.—and shop for siblings or friends in need; a new shoe station, where kids could try on and choose a new pair of sneakers; a haircutting station, where a hair stylist and 6 barbers provided professional haircuts at no cost; and shoppable clothing racks with new and gently used articles for the school year. In addition to FCC services, Saratoga Children’s Literacy League brought a large array of books that they offered for free and spent some time reading to the children in attendance.
The events had a great turnout, serving 73 people in total. Parents were thrilled to see the smiles on their children’s faces as they shopped for what they needed and chose their favorite things. “It’s a huge relief,” one parent said. “With everything so expensive these days, this event really helps us get the things we need without worrying about how we’ll afford it all.”
The success of the Back-to-School events relied on the dedicated volunteers who checked families in, helped students select new shoes and choose new school supplies, kept shopping areas organized, and provided face painting and hair cutting services. Volunteers included individuals from Saratoga Springs and groups from Saratoga Springs Walmart, Employee Family Protection, Roots Barber Co. of Halfmoon, Robert James Salon and the FCC Board of Directors.
Additionally, the program supplied 171 students from 12 different school districts across Saratoga County, as well as several homeschool families, with fully stocked backpacks.
This year, your support of our Student Services program will aid students throughout Saratoga County. We deeply appreciate any monetary or in-kind donations you can provide. Your contributions will support Franklin Community Center and the families we assist. To get involved, please contact Samantha Porcello, Student Services Coordinator, at [email protected].
