The holidays provide the perfect reminder about the importance of helping others.
While there are struggling people out there who need assistance year-round, the holidays are as good a time as any to practice generosity, like these young women who started a store where you can buy clothing for the homeless.
And, fortunately, these heartwarming stories of kindness toward others are quite common. But when I saw what one school was doing to help students in need, I was truly moved.
Washington High School in Washington, D.C., is like many other schools in America. They have a football team, cheerleaders, a student government, and plenty of school spirit. But they also have an enormous heart.
When some administrators and students noticed that many of the kids in school were not only struggling in the classroom but outside the classroom, they stepped in and did something extraordinary.
The actions of the incredible folks at this high school are an important reminder of the large difference we can make in the lives of others.
h/t Huffington Post
The student government and administrators at Washington High School in Washington, D.C., have decided to do something this holiday season to help out the underprivileged students among their halls.
With a large portion of their student population struggling in the classroom due to a lack of basic resources at home, they decided to step in and lend a helping hand.
The school has created a "secret" pop-up shop that allows students access to basic necessities such as food, clothes, school supplies, and bathroom products. Students are free to come to the shop anonymously and pick out anything that they might need.
And in order to prevent any judgment from other students, anyone who wants to use the shop can simply tell an administrator, and they will be given privacy to take what they require.
The school's principal, Misty Walker, told the Huffington Post, "If we want academics to improve, we have to make certain we're meeting our students' basic needs. We want to strengthen our community, and schooling is just one aspect of that."
Principal Walker went on to explain that some students who received free or reduced-price meals at school would not eat again until they returned to school the next day. This, coupled with students asking her personally for things like toothbrushes, led Principal Walker to take action.
What first started as a "hygiene closet," has now developed into a full supply shop that is stocked with the help of a community development organization known as Bright Futures, as well as local donors. The items in the shop are all aimed directly at teenagers.
Principal Walker said, "It's a slightly different concept because we focused really on trying to help our high schoolers, versus the experience of preparing a whole box of food for a family."
The school reported that the program has been highly successful, and has helped a significant amount of students. Principal Walker estimated that about 15 percent of students had used the shop, and that the program goes a long way in showing them that someone cares about their well-being.
She said, "For our students who have a lot of needs, sometimes they're hesitant to let someone know what their needs are. But once they develop a relationship [with a guidance counselor or teacher] and you treat them in a professional, genuine caring manner, it helps build their self-esteem."
The students and administrators behind this program are truly embracing the holiday spirit of kindness and generosity.
What ways do schools in your town help out students in need? Let us know in the comments.
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