“So I did it to make people happy, and they can stay warm over the winter. It makes me feel happy too because some people are homeless.”—C.K., age 5.
By Norma Richman
Every year at this time, a cross-town gift of warmth and comfort makes its way from High Point Academy to the Madison School headquarters of Families in Transition (FIT). FIT is the homeless education program of the Pasadena Unified School District and is designed to promote school stability and academic success for students and families experiencing homelessness.
When winter rolls around, the staffers at Families in Transition look forward to High Point’s special delivery of gently-used jackets, sweaters, and coats—all packed away in decorated boxes. In fact, while the clothing is treasured by the children at FIT, the boxes are also a welcome addition to the center. There are dozens from past years that serve as colorful storage containers.
High Point’s Community Engagement program always begins with a lesson in kindness for our youngest students. This effort starts with a reading of Last Stop on Market Street by Matt de la Peña—a story that brings the plight of unhoused children and the obligation of charity into perspective for HPA’s kindergarten students. The book, a Newbery Medal recipient and Caldecott Honor winner in 2016, still rings true to this day. Teachers Lynette Wiebe, Koral Talavera, and Tomi Okuno provide large boxes and decorating supplies, and parents pitch in with generous donations of outer wear. When delivery day comes, kindergarteners take turns packing the clothes into the boxes, and then they are delivered to the Madison School Campus headquarters of FIT.
Most importantly, our kinders have an opportunity to reflect on their contributions. Part of High Point’s Community Engagement Program is to promote empathy—even at the age of 5 or 6—and to provide age-appropriate experiences that connect the school with the wider community. Caleb K., age 5, noted, “It felt good because we are going to help people who are cold. The jackets might fit, and the kids would like them if they’re comfortable. How I helped was I actually decorated the box, and I brought sweaters from home.”
Five-year-old Avery G. added, “We did this because if they might not have money, they can’t get anything. And they might not have jackets. I brought some jackets that don’t fit me anymore, so I hope the kids are going to feel happy.”
Eli T., age 5, summarized the entire Families in Transition project this way: “Some people just don’t get all of what they need, like sweaters. We decorated the boxes. Our teachers gave us little paper sweaters to color and glue on. It makes me feel good because one time we saw a homeless man and my dad gave him money. Some jackets are really fuzzy and warm so kids who don’t have anything could be warm too.”
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