Laughter and chatter bubbled through the air at Champs Sports on July 13 as 44 children from National CORE’s Rancho Verde affordable housing community excitedly picked out shoes, shirts and backpacks loaded with school supplies.
Nine-year-old Marlaysia discovered a pair of light green Nikes while her sister, Promise, 6, scored a pink pair.
Sixth-grader Tahiry, shopping with her little brother, Royal, and her mother, Kenyan, picked out a pair of black kicks.
“They match with everything,” Tahiry said.
Zabdiel, 16, opted for cream-colored New Balances but couldn’t decide between a gray or black hoodie. His sister, Jerusalem, 9, was thrilled with her Air Jordans and a Mexico soccer jersey.
“This is a real blessing to my family,” Zabdiel said.
That sentiment was echoed by parents and members of Verve Church, which partnered with the Hope through Housing Foundation to hold the back-to-school event at Champs at Rancho Cucamonga’s Victoria Gardens shopping center.
The shopping trip is part of a broader initiative by Hope through Housing to ensure children at dozens of affordable housing communities in California, Texas and Florida have the supplies they need for the 2024-25 school year.
Verve has collaborated with Hope through Housing for much of the last decade to host back-to-school carnivals and Christmas parties for the children at Rancho Verde.
“We believe in what Hope through Housing is doing,” Verve Pastor Chris Endsley said. “We believe that we should support and uplift the community. We are our best when we are doing it together.”
The shopping trip was funded by church member Matthew Prok, who was inspired by his own experiences as the child of a single mom.
“I know how important shoes are for kids. It’s the first thing people look at when they meet you – they look right down at your shoes. Shoes are a big confidence booster for people,” he said. “It’s an opportunity to let them know God loves them and they’re worth it.”
“We want to thank Verve Church for their incredible generosity, not just today but for the many years they have supported Hope through Housing,” Hope through Housing Vice President Alyssa Cotter. “Partners like Verve help ensure all children get what they need to succeed.”
Deshawndray – mother to Marlaysia and Promise – expressed gratitude for the back-to-school event, which she said alleviates the stress of preparing her children for the school year. In addition to her daughters, the single mom cares for her 5-month-old baby.
“Clothes and shoes for both of them – this has been a big help for me,” she said. “It’s a blessing.”