Success Stories
At SC4K, we carry out our mission with compassion, care, and respect, for those we serve through a network of community partners and schools. Our partners often see the impact new items can have firsthand.
Read some recent stories, gathered via a survey of our Distribution Partners, to hear about the impact of our mission driven work.
Partner and Teacher Success Stories
Murtis Taylor-Mt. Pleasant
“We had a kinship caregiver receive emergency custody of her grandchildren. She was on a fixed income and didn’t have the resources at that time to get her grandchildren what they needed for school. She was able to come and get both children all that they needed to be successful in school and carry them through the year. She thanked us in tears because of this and left with a grateful heart!”
Merrick House
“We have a family wear the little girl who's 11 wears a size 12 shoe. She continually got picked on at school and was ashamed of her feet. She was able to get 2 nice pairs of boots with the shoe card and was so excited. Her family has since moved out of state, but they call to say how much they miss us and how helpful we were to their family".
Murtis Taylor-Garfield
“A child was missing school because the other children were picking on him because he didn't have nice clean clothing. With the help of SC4Ks the child was able to get new clean clothes, went to school made the honor roll and was no longer being picked on.”
Partner Success Stories
Euclid High School
“Most of our teachers have struggled their whole lives to buy art supplies. To get be able to get quality supplies for our kids at this level makes this this Art-Themed Teacher Shop most fun day of the year.”
Bedford City School
"Today’s book giveaway means everything to us because a lot of my kids don’t have books at home. I let them take whatever books they want home with them and they can read to their little siblings which is great for both kids! Also, we run out of supplies like nobody’s business. This means so much, so I don’t have to continue to spend my money and the kids get exactly what they need.”
Cleveland Metropolitan Schools
"SC4K has made my job as a teacher easier…Having these items has increased self-esteem and confidence in students who previously didn't have anything. It establishes an equal playing field for all on homework assignments and class projects, because everyone starts from the same point. Participation within the class[room] has also increased."
West Side Catholic Center
“We often get requests for emergency clothing and with the SC4K items we receive, we are able to provide a larger amount of items to these families. It is such a relief for both parents and children to receive these needed items.”
East End Neighborhood House
“There was a young mom of 4 who was recently evicted from her home and lost most of her stuff. At the time, she was only working part-time. Mom stated she heard about our services on social media and gave us a call. She was able to come with the children who were able to pick out their own clothes and receive a coat, a toy, school supplies, and household supplies. On top of that, she was able to meet with community partners that could provide additional support outside of our agency."
University Settlement
“At a community meal, a family with 4 small children accidentally locked their keys in their car. We attempted to help as much as possible but had no luck. We were able to give them all bus passes to get home. It was a cold, winter night and none of the children had a winter coat on. We were able to provide each child with a new coat we received from SC4K so they could get home warm and safe. The next morning, they were able to bring the necessary tools to retrieve their keys and drive their vehicle home.”
“One family was so excited to get a bookbag because she didn't have one. To have all of the supplies was a self-esteem booster." - St. Martin de Porres Family Center
Partner and Teacher Success Stories
University Hospitals Rainbow Ahuja Center for Women & Children
“During the winter months, there are more children than not who need a warm coat, gloves, hats, and boots. In December of 2023, there was a family who stopped by the Rainbow Connects department with no wear for the winter. Two of the three children did not have a coat or appropriate shoes for the weather. We were told that the two oldest children had not been to school for days because of the lack of clothing they had. We were able to provide coats, hats, gloves, and a shopping pass for new boots. The children were very happy as they smiled. Thank you for helping us to decrease social detriments of health within family systems.”
Cleveland Chesed Center
“Two seemingly anxious boys and their mother showed up at our building, hoping someone could help them. Their first day of school was the next day, and they were returning to a school they had attended about 2 years ago. They needed uniforms, shoes, supplies, backpacks, and snacks. I was so grateful that I had recently attended a SC4K shopping and had their sizes in pants, shirts, and socks, and I even had a pair of shoes to fit one of the boys. I gave them each their school supply list and had them look through our supplies to see what we had. You could see the anxiety melt away as they happily filled their backpacks with what they needed. I dropped a pair of shoes and the few remaining supplies we did not have that night so they would be all set for their first day of school. I got the biggest smile when they saw that they also got school snacks.”
Mt. Sinai Baptist Ministries
“Our organization had a family of five and they were struggling very badly. We were able to serve all five children with clothing, book bags, supplies for school, and a few craft items, and toys and new coats and hats & gloves. That family now comes to service and is volunteering at events to give back for the Blessings they received. Thanks to SC4K. To see the smiles on each child's face was great and the parents and the children were so very thankful.”
“We have had multiple families whose children were not able to attend school because they did not have the proper uniforms. With the help of SC4K, we were able to get those families uniforms so that their children could attend school.” - Friendly Inn Settlement House