Project Cool
For children dealing with the daily chaos of homelessness, school can be an important source of stability.
Every fall through Project Cool, SKCCH members and volunteers make sure that hundreds of homeless children and youth start the school year off right. 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. Included with every backpack a student receives is a Know-Your-Rights flyer on the educational rights for homeless students outlined in the McKinney Vento Act. SKCCH also regularly provides training for staff working with youth and unaccompanied minors to help them advocate for and support the educational rights of homeless students.
In 2011, Project Cool provided 1,792 children and youth across King County with backpacks and school supplies. Over 23 years, Project Cool has helped more than 22,000 homeless students be ready for the first day of school. None of Project Cool could be possible without the dedication of our member agencies, generous corporate sponsors, community and individual donors, as well as numerous hard-working volunteers.
Read the 2011 Project Cool report here!
Get involved!
Project Cool for Back-to-School happens each year because of people like you! We welcome your help.
1. Donate
Cash donations are the most 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, filled with quality school supplies, age appropriate books, and key basic health items.
- $100 will allow 25 high school freshmen to write their first high school essays in new spiral notebooks.
- $500 will color the lives of 30 children as they begin kindergarten with new crayons, markers, and colored pencils.
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
Would your business like to be a Project Cool sponsor? 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.
3. Host a supply drive or fundraiser
Have fun hosting a supply drive or fundraiser in your workplace, community group, or school! Contact supply drive coordinator, Ally Seidel, at 206-357-3149 or ally[at]homelessinfo.org for everything you need to know to set up a successful supply drive. Check out our supplies wish list and be sure to talk with Ally about dropping off supplies before our deadline, June 29, 2012.
4. Contact your dentist!
We collect 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 or by making a financial contribution. Here is a sample letter! Be sure to contact them in May or early June, as our deadline for collecting supplies is June 29.
5. Volunteer!
Every August volunteers have fun with family, friends, or a service group counting, sorting, and organizing supplies to fill backpacks for distribution. Give us a hand for an hour or an afternoon! We'd love your help, and we welcome groups!
For more information:
please contact Ally Seidel, 2012 Project Cool Coordinator, at ally[at]homelessinfo.org or at 206.357.3149.
To read the 2011 Project Cool Annual report, click here.
Join us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ProjectCoolforBacktoSchool and invite your friends!