Starting a new school year can be nerve-racking for any kid, but it’s especially so when that big first day rolls around and finds you living in a homeless shelter.
That’s the situation facing the nine school-aged children currently living at Twin Oaks, but thanks to one of their fellow residents, they can at least rest easy knowing they’ll be headed to class next week with backpacks stuffed to the brim with school supplies.
When the conversations turned to the new school year, Glauri, who’s lived at Twin Oaks for about six weeks, started to worry about the kids. The East Troy woman took it upon herself to head up a school-supply drive for the children of Twin Oaks, working with staff and reaching out to our wonderful supporters, churches, and businesses like Staples.
“I know how it felt starting college with nothing,” Glauri explained. “It’s just a pay-it-forward kind of thing. I am so grateful we had people willing to help.”
In the end, she was able to collect enough backpacks and school supplies for all nine children, plus the grandchildren of another fellow resident. The kids, ages 5 through 16, will be heading off to school in Elkhorn, Madison, Delavan, and Whitewater; Glauri reports they couldn’t be happier. “Every one of them has thanked me for their school supplies,” she said.