SC4K to Host National Educational Resource Collective 2026 Fall Conference in Cleveland

Shoes and Clothes for Kids (SC4K) will host the National Educational Resource Collective 2026 Fall Conference in Cleveland later this month, convening teacher resource center leaders from across the country for three days of professional development, networking, and collaboration focused on strengthening support for teachers and students.

The conference, which takes place at Shoes and Clothes for Kids (SC4K) Oct. 20-22, 2026, will feature one large group session each day and 22 breakout sessions across six tracks: Development, Leadership, Programs, Operations, Marketing & Communications, and Cross-Track. Over 30 speakers from around the nation are participating in this year’s conference, including industry professionals alongside Collective members.

The conference begins Tuesday, Oct. 20, with a high-impact kickoff session led by featured speaker and leadership trainer Paul Wesselmann, known as “The Ripples Guy,” and a tour of the SC4K Free Store. The opening day will conclude with a welcome reception at Huntington Bank Field, hosted by Aramark.

Wednesday’s agenda includes a panel on Tackling School Attendance, moderated by Cristina González Alcalá, PhD, Cleveland Foundation Program Director, followed by breakout sessions on team dynamics, development strategy, donation management, program growth, fundraising, team culture, warehouse leadership, online shopping, and data storytelling.

The conference will close Thursday, Oct. 22, with a main session entitled “Know Your How,” led by Alison Kling, CEO of Free 2 Teach. Then, attendees will participate in one last round of breakout sessions on creative feedback approaches, volunteer program development, annual appeals, organizational storytelling, and bulk purchasing, followed by closing remarks and reflections.

“At SC4K, we provide shoes, clothes, and school supplies to help students show up ready to learn and so teachers can focus on teaching,” said Monica Lloyd, executive director of SC4K. “Hosting the Collective in Cleveland gives us a chance to learn from fellow members and the local experts joining us as speakers. We’ll all leave with ideas we can put to work for educators and students in each of our communities.”

The National Educational Resource Collective connects teacher resource centers nationwide to share ideas, strengthen programs and expand the resources available to educators and students in underserved communities. The 2026 Fall Conference is expected to bring together 85 teacher resource center professionals for three days of professional development, networking and collaboration.

Noteworthy nonprofit and business leaders leading sessions and moderating panels include:

• Cristina González Alcalá, The Cleveland Foundation
• Dwayne Brake, Greater Cleveland Food Bank
• Julie Clark, Business Volunteers Unlimited
• Toi D. Comer, Cleveland Institute of Art
• Natalie Friedl, Cleveland Kids’ Book Bank
• Renee Harvey, Cleveland Browns Foundation
• Lorri Hobson, Attendance Works
• Toni Holloway, Cleveland Leadership Center
• Inbloom Consulting
• Anthony Levin-Decanini, Critical Studio
• Staci Lowell, Giving Insight, LLC
• Tim Marshall, Baldwin Wallace University
• Jessica Miller, SmarterX.ai
• Mosaic Eval
• Stuart Muszynski, Values-in-Action
• Merilee Smith, SPARK with Merilee
• Lauren Steiner, Grants Plus
• John Paul Stephens, Case Western Reserve University
• Stephen A. Sturgill, Lorain City Schools
• Sarah Wallace, Girls Scouts of Northeastern Ohio

“Coming together with teacher resource centers from across the country reminds us that while our communities may look different, our purpose is remarkably similar: making sure teachers have the resources they need and that students have the opportunity to learn, grow and thrive,” shares Betsy Wilson, Collective Steering Committee Member and Chief Development Officer at Crayons and Beyond in Cincinnati, Ohio. Betsy and six other staff members from Crayons and Beyond are attending the conference this year. “The National Education Resource Collective gives us a unique opportunity to share ideas, learn from one another, and strengthen the collective impact of this work. When we collaborate, we don’t just make our individual organizations stronger; We expand what’s possible for educators and students everywhere.”

Presenting sponsors for the 2026 Fall Conference include American College of Education, Aramark, Bay Sales, and Cleveland Browns Foundation, Grants Plus will serve as principal sponsor.