JCPenney AfterSchool Fund Helps Local Children

Remember the excitement of shopping for new school clothes? For two years in a row, local middle-school students participating in afterschool programs funded by the United Way of the Columbia-Willamette and the JCPenney Afterschool Fund, enjoyed a special shopping event hosted by JCPenney stores.

Children participating in the event are part of the Metropolitan Family Services in Milwaukie’s CAFÉ program at Rowe Middle School and the Hacienda CDC’s Expresiones-Centro de Jovenes in North Portland.

These communities, served by the United Way of Columbia-Willamette, are among the 17 communities that each received $94,000 from the JCPenney Afterschoool Fund, a charitable organization committed to providing children in need with access to life-enriching afterschool programs. The grant was matched with another $94,000 locally to provide grants for middle school students whose families are unable to afford a full-time afterschool program. Of the 3,949 children participating in United Way nationwide, ninety received scholarships from the JCPenney Afterschool Fund’s 2007 grant to United Way.  

“The JCPenney Afterschool Fund is dedicated to keeping America’s children safe and constructively engaged during the afterschool hours,” said Jodi M. Gibson, president of the JCPenney Afterschool Fund. “By partnering with local afterschool programs across the country, we’re leveraging their expertise to connect with high-quality afterschool programs that serve at-risk youth. Together, we’re ensuring that students of all backgrounds and income levels are able to benefit from life-enriching afterschool programs that foster their academic, physical and social development.” 

Shopping Event

Kids and families served through the afterschool programs were transported from their neighborhoods and treated to a continental breakfast at the JCPenney store. A number of United Way board members, volunteers and staff, as well as JCPenney executives and associates, welcomed the families.

United Way volunteers and JCPenney associates were on hand to serve as “personal shoppers” to help students select outfits for school. Bilingual staff were also available. The JCPenney salon provided free haircuts to kids.

“I really appreciate it because kids who aren’t in a good place right now and don’t have that much stuff, now actually have good clothes,” said one parent, who participated at last year’s event. “For some of us, it was our first time shopping at an actual department store.”

The kids were certainly pleased as well. One girl was overheard saying, “This is the best day of my life!” which was mirrored in the smiles on the children’s faces and the excitement in the air.