WAGES to host supplies giveaway
By Brandon Davis
Published in News on August 7, 2016 1:45 AM
WAGES will host its second annual School Supplies Giveaway in the multi-purpose room located at 601 Royall Ave. Friday, Aug. 12 from noon until 2 p.m.
The school supplies collected by the community agency will be provided to WAGES' children and families only, but anyone can donate -- before Aug. 10 -- for this event, according to Tiffany Lucky, Family Engagement Coordinator for WAGES' Head Start and Early Head Start programs.
"Last year was a big success," Ms. Lucky said, who is the event's founder. "I was able to serve over 200 people, and everybody was able to walk out with something. So that made me feel really great.
"That last parent that walked in, she got the last bookbag."
The school programs begin on Sept. 1, and the School Supplies Giveaway prepares low-income families before starting school.
Each parent or guardian is required to visit five tables in the multi-purpose room to learn about five parental-training and skill-learning programs before children can receive school supplies.
A parental involvement/volunteer program gives parents information about playing a major role in a child's education. The male involvement program provides education to fathers on a child's need for a male role model, but Ms. Lucky said a father will also receive a trainer who will visit the father at home to teach him skills and how to make personal and professional goals.
The self-sufficient program allows parents to learn coping skills through times of loss such as losing a job, a home or a family member. Ms. Lucky said a case manager will be assigned to a parent for intensive training in the home and in the community.
The weatherization program sets families up with home repairs, while the housing authority's table will inform parents about services for the neediest families within WAGES, according to Ms. Lucky.
"I'm all about education and making sure every event that I have is a learning experience," she said. "It's a fun experience but also a learning experience, so what better way to promote parent involvement and a WAGES program than to have a school supply (event) that will have information leaving with a parent."
Ms. Lucky said people can contact her at 919-734-6411, ext. 207 after 5 p.m. for more information about donations and the event, or they can stop by WAGES before 5 p.m. at 507 Royall Ave. to donate cash or gift cards to purchase school supplies or donate actual school supplies.