Getting a Confident Start to the School Year
“They’re here!” rang out from a group of students on a warm summer day at Concordia Park. “We’re getting new shoes today!”
Everyone likes new shoes, but for girls in the 1st-7th grade Girls Inc. of Alameda County summer program, a visit from the My New Red Shoes “ShoeMobile” is particularly meaningful. Starting a new school year can be stressful, and that includes worries about looking your best. When the ShoeMobile rolls up, however, not only do girls get to choose the exact pair they want, they don’t have to worry about cost because their new shoes are provided free of charge.
All the girls are treated like VIPs, where they browse the mobile Style Shop and pick out what they like. As staff and volunteers brought out boxes, girls excitedly tried on different styles and confidently modeled their new kicks.
For some girls, picking out their own shoes was a new experience. Other girls liked the range of choices. One 3rd grader happily exclaimed, “I’m keeping these just for me!” Starting school can mean unexpected expenses, and sometimes new shoes aren’t always possible. To set the girls up for success, Girls Inc. of Alameda County intentionally partners with My New Red Shoes to help defray costs for families, and give the girls a boost of confidence for the first day of class.
As a special treat, every girl went home with their shoes in a fun, reusable fabric tote and agreed that walking tall in a new pair of shoes was a great way to start the year!