A single mother went to Southwest Elementary School seeking free school supplies for her 10-year-old daughter, but what she found offered so much more.
Along with getting a backpack full of school supplies for her daughter, Laura Wotring talked to a representative from Stones Crossing Church, who told her about a ministry for single mothers like herself, she said.
Stones Crossing Auto, a ministry of the church, provides automotive repair for individuals struggling with their finances, including single mothers and elderly residents.
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The United Way Fast Track program, which gives school supplies, including notebooks, folders, pencils, scissors and more, to families of students by way of host schools, assisted hundreds of Greenwood families Wednesday at Southwest Elementary School, and connected those families with community resources.
About 360 families registered for the event, said Kim Bates, Fast Track organizer for Greenwood schools.
About 40 volunteers attended the event and helped distribute the backpacks. Before getting the bags, families were required to talk to at least eight of the more than 20 community partners present, including YMCA, Big Brothers Big Sisters, the Johnson County Health Department and Turning Point Domestic Violence Services, among others, said Nancy Lohr Plake, executive director of United Way of Johnson County.
Connecting families with those community resources can help families who are struggling overcome a variety of obstacles, Bates said.
“We make them stop and talk to them. The families are very open to getting information. They want and need resources,” she said.
Fast Track is a county-wide initiative that involves all six Johnson County school districts. Last year, the program distributed free school supplies to 1,585 students, according to information from United Way of Johnson County. The program is invitation only, and is open to families of children who qualify for free and reduced-price meals, Plake said.
Franklin Community Schools’ Fast Track event will take place on Wednesday, but those interested will need to contact Franklin schools for more information, Plake said.
Josh Froman, whose two daughters go to Northwest Elementary School in Greenwood, said the event is a great way to connect families to programs like Big Brothers, Big Sisters.
“It’s my first time. I like the expo atmosphere without putting pressure on you,” Froman said of Fast Track. “It’s great to see the community giving back. Big Brothers, Big Sisters (is) a deferral program for teens in trouble. A lot of kids need mentoring outside of home.”
Arreek Townsend also made his first visit to Fast Track with his daughter and said he’ll be coming back next year. He also enjoys the connection to community resources the event provides, he said.
“I thought it was just going to be long lines and grabbing supplies but this is nice with the sponsors,” Townsend said. “YMCA has a parent’s night out when you can drop your kids off at the YMCA and they have a movie night.”
Fast Track is key for these kids to start off the school year just as prepared to learn as their peers, said Kent DeKoninck, Greenwood schools superintendent.
“It’s really important for all our kids to come to school prepared,” DeKoninck said. “We didn’t want them to feel less equipped than their peers. It’s great to provide a level playing field.”
The program, which Johnson County schools have hosted since 2005, helps relieve stress for families who may be worried about paying for school necessities, Plake said.
“We want to really focus in on trying to help people have a better quality of life and one of those qualities is education,” Plake said.
“It is much better for students who enter school to have the supplies they need to start their year off right and also doesn’t set them apart from any other children in the classroom.”
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People interested in donating school supplies can do so at numerous local banks, including First Merchants Bank, Horizon Bank, Lake City Bank and Mutual Savings Bank. The Boys and Girls Club of Franklin, KIC-IT, the Children’s Bureau in Whiteland and the Arthur R. Baxter YMCA branch on the southside also accept donations.
Source: Nancy Lohr Plake, Johnson County United Way Executive Director.
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