Backpack Coalition with United Way

Circa partnered with United Way to help the community head back to school in 2021. Since March of 2020, COVID-19 has impacted the lives of so many in our community. It has been especially challenging for those in the world of education. Over the past several months, we have seen how adaptable and resilient teachers, students, and families can be.

While our world continues with some uncertainty, there is one thing we know for sure: the need for school supplies is greater than ever. Last year, donations with United Way helped us distribute over 5,000 new backpacks filled with supplies to children in local schools.

Circa’s DEI Council took park in the United Way Backpack Coalition. Instead of Circa going the traditional route of just sending out the donation link and have everyone contribute that way, the DEI team decided it would be more fun to do a friendly company competition! Circa employees were broken up into 15 teams of 9-10 people. Each team has a leader, who will coordinate your groups contribution efforts. Every team is encouraged to name themselves as well too but of course it is not required however, if you decide to have a team name feel free to shoot me what your group came up with and I will send out another correspondence with each team’s name. The goal is to donate the as many items as possible through the Amazon wish list for United Way.

The donation through the Backpack Coalition:

• Ensures a child can start the school year with the supplies needed to succeed. Without the right school supplies, a child’s capacity to learn can be greatly diminished.
• Makes a child proud to have their own school supplies. Every child starts out on the same foot, with the same items needed for the grade and school they attend.
• Reduces the amount of money teachers spend to fill supply gaps that families can’t afford.
• Frees up family budgets that are already strained, especially during these challenging times.
• Helps our youth grow to be tomorrow’s young adults, ready to face the world.

Here are a few facts:

• Did you know that 29% of Waukesha County’s population is either living under the poverty level or low income, working poor families who struggle to provide for their children?
• In Milwaukee County this number increases to 54% of the population.

Learn more about the organizations that Circa supports.

Author

DEI Council

Circa