The Heights Foundation/The Heights Center hosted its annual Back-to-School Outreach on Saturday, July 26, providing more than 500 students from the Harlem Heights neighborhood with backpacks and essential school supplies to kick off the new academic year fully prepared.
Dozens of volunteers, donors, and community partners came together at The Heights Center for a morning of generosity and community spirit. Students received backpacks and age-appropriate supplies, including binders, crayons, calculators, headphones, paper, folders, and more—tools that will set them up for success in the classroom.
“Our goal is to eliminate barriers that prevent children from reaching their full potential,” said Kathryn Kelly, Founder, President, and CEO of The Heights Foundation. “Thanks to the incredible support of our community, we were able to give students a strong start to the school year and show families in Harlem Heights that they are not alone.”
The outreach was made possible through donations from individuals, churches, civic groups, and local businesses, many of whom organized supply drives or sponsored key items. Financial donations helped offset the cost of more than $7,000 in backpacks and over $25,000 in supplies.
“We are so grateful for the outpouring of support,” said Melissa Barlow, Director of Arts and Community Programs at The Heights Center. “Each donation—whether a single notebook or hundreds of folders—played a role in this collective impact. Our volunteers also made the day run smoothly, creating a fun and welcoming environment for families.”
The Heights Foundation’s mission is to build strong, self-sufficient families in Harlem Heights through education, opportunity, and community support. The annual school supply outreach is one of many programs designed to support students and families throughout the year.
Those who missed the opportunity to donate or volunteer can still support education efforts in the community by visiting www.heightsfoundation.org.
About the Heights Foundation and the Heights Center
The Heights Foundation works to build strong, self-sufficient families in the Harlem Heights neighborhood. Our mission is to support education and wellness, promote family and community development, and provide the benefits of enrichment and the arts. The Heights Center, supported by The Heights Foundation, is a place for Education, Opportunity, and Enrichment. Heights Early Learning serves more than 85 babies through 4 years old. The Heights Center serves 153 children in AfterSchool and 160 children in SummerCamp. The Harlem Heights Community Charter School serves 200 children from kindergarten through fifth grade.
Harlem Heights was originally settled as a rural agricultural community. Approximately 780 children live in a mixture of single-family homes and multi-family apartments. Demographically, the population is approximately 78% Hispanic, 16% African-American, and 6% Caucasian. The poverty rate for children in Harlem Heights is more than twice the county average, with family income 40% below the county average. As a result, families cannot easily access family support services in downtown Fort Myers and benefit greatly from programs within the neighborhood.
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