The school was able to provide each scholar new pairs of shoes thanks to partnerships with Samaritan’s Feet and Lace Up Detroit, nonprofit organizations dedicated to connecting those in need with new pairs of shoes.
Student and Family Liaison Shantel Jones said each scholar walked away with a new pair of shoes at both events. Jones said staff noticed students didn’t have the proper footwear to start the year, so connecting them with the right shoes was a priority.
Access to the right pair of sneakers makes a world of difference for students. Navigating the school hallways with shoes four sizes too big or small is already uncomfortable, but the issue can affect confidence, as well.
“Getting kids the right shoes helped them,” Jones said. “It can help them with their confidence. It helps them not worry about what they might be going through at home and their lack of access. Getting new shoes made their days.”
It was the first day of many full of joy and confidence for Legacy students. With two new pairs of shoes, students will start each school day off on the right foot. As they put on their shoes each day, students will feel empowered to learn and inspired to succeed.
Jones said students were excited for both events and new shoes give them one less thing to worry about during the day.
“These shoe giveaways tie into the ability to learn and to focus,” Jones said. “If you don’t have the resources or access to these things, it can affect your ability to pay attention in class or even your desire to go to class. So with this, it has made kids want to be here and want to have a good day.”
The reach of these events goes beyond Legacy’s walls. With each pair of shoes handed out to students, parents felt the impact, and their lives were made that much easier.
“We did transform lives through these events,” Jones said. “We transformed many parents’ lives. Some families might not be able to afford shoes, so we affected their family as a whole.”
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About Legacy Charter Academy
Legacy Charter Academy is a tuition-free, public charter school in Detroit, Michigan, serving students in kindergarten through eighth grade. It is part of the National Heritage Academies (NHA®) network, which includes more than 100 tuition-free, public charter schools serving more than 65,000 students in kindergarten through high school across nine states. For more information, visit nhaschools.com.
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