Project Cool
Every fall through Project Cool, SKCCH members and volunteers make sure that hundreds of homeless children and youth start the school year off right. In 2010, Project Cool donors and volunteers gave 1812 children and youth across King County backpacks and school supplies. Every student also received a gift certificate for a new pair of shoes. SKCCH provides up-to-date training for staff working with children and unaccompanied youth to help them advocate for and support educational rights for homeless students.
For children dealing with the daily chaos of homelessness, school can be an important source of stability. Project Cool helps homeless students who may have lost most or all of their personal possessions get the school supplies they need to feel confident and be prepared.
Project Cool is made possible by our member agencies, generous business and community partners and individual donors, and the hard work of many dedicated volunteers. Read our 2011 Project Cool report here! Over 22 years, Project Cool has helped more than 20,000 homeless students be ready for the first day of school.
Get involved with Project Cool!
Project Cool for Back-to-School happens each year because of people like you! We welcome your help.
How to help homeless students:
1. Donate
Donations are the most helpful and flexible way you can help kids who are homeless through Project Cool. No contribution is too small to make a difference – and certainly no gift is too large!
- $60 will provide 1 child with a new backpack full of quality school supplies, books, hygiene items, and a voucher for a new pair of shoes.
- $100 will provide 25 high schoolers with binders, paper, and pens.
- $500 will provide 25 young students with new shoes to wear as they walk into their classrooms in September.
Donate securely on-line or by mail (make checks out to “Project Cool/SKCCH” and send to 77 S. Washington St., Seattle, WA 98104). Donations are tax-deductible to the full extent allowed by law.
2. Sponsor
We are looking for community-oriented local businesses to be Project Cool Sponsors. Your company can make a huge difference for 2,000 children in King County, and be recognized in our annual report for your generosity. Sponsorship starts at $500. To learn more, please contact Jenn or Cecelia, Project Cool co-chairs, at 206-926-9300 or by email at projectcool@homelessinfo.org.
3. Host a supply drive or fundraiser
Have fun hosting a supply drive or fundraiser in your workplace, community group, or school!
Download this information sheet [link this]. Contact supply drive coordinator, Danny Meltzer, at 206-357-3149 or danny@homelessinfo.org for everything you need to know to set up a successful supply drive.
4. Collect Dental Hygiene items
Here’s another easy way to help collect supplies: contact your dentist! We need small tubes of toothpaste and toothbrushes (must be individually wrapped) to include in the backpacks. Ask your dentist to support Project Cool by donating these items. You can even use this letter from the Project Cool Co-Chairs.
5. Help prepare backpacks
Every August volunteers have fun with family, friends, or a service group counting, sorting, and organizing supplies and filling backpacks for distribution. Give us a hand for an hour or an afternoon! We’d love your help, and we welcome groups! These are our planned work dates for 2011:
- Monday, August 1
- Wednesday, August 3
- Monday, August 8
- Wednesday, August 10
Please email jpargas@compasshousingalliance.org to sign up.
6. Spread the Word!
Join us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/projectcoolforbacktoschool and invite your friends!
Ideas? Questions?
You can always contact Project Cool Co-Chairs Jenn
or Cecelia: projectcool@homelessinfo.org or
206-926-9300. Check out Project Cool for Back-to-School on Facebook!
Thank you for your help!