Hygiene Kit Drive - Olé Soccer Club

The Los Angeles Unified School District has approximately 13,600 homeless students identified within its boundaries.

Ole Soccer is more than a soccer organization, we are a community of change.

It is our goal this summer to give back to our community and donate to the Los Angeles Unified School District’s Homeless Education Program. We are launching a Hygiene Kit Drive to help the 13,000 students currently homeless. A hygiene kit contains basic essential items we use on a daily basis such as: a toothbrush, toothpaste, floss, deodorant, shampoo, conditioner, kleenex, body lotion, soap, chapstick, body wipes, sanitary napkins, a brush and a comb. The LAUSD Homeless Education Program will provide each student with a hygiene kit to start the new school year.

All students deserve the essential tools to succeed. One of these kits goes a long way.

Here is the checklist on what each bag should contain:

We would like to share some statistics shared by LAUSD (Los Angeles Unified School District) about the program.

Homelessness Impacts A Child’s Education

At least 20% of homeless students do not attend school.

1 in 10 homeless students miss at least one month of school each year.

Within a year, 41% of homeless children will attend two different schools and 28% will attend three or more different schools.

With each school change, a student is set back academically on the average of four to six months.

36% of homeless children have repeated a grade.

Many homeless children lack basic school supplies and an appropriate environment to do homework.

Homeless children are three times more likely to be placed in special education.

Homeless children suffer from emotional or behavioral problems that interfere with learning at almost three times the rate of other children.

Homelessness Impacts Educational Outcomes

Homeless children are four times more likely to drop out of school.

Homeless children are two times more likely to score lower on standardized tests.

38% of the homeless population do not have a high school degree by the age of 18,2 standing to lose over $230 billion in lifetime earnings.

50% of homeless individuals report dropping out of school sometime during their education

Are you ready to make a difference? 🙂

YOU can be that difference and YOU can help a child in need. Your donation goes a long way. Every hygiene kit contains the essentials every child needs to succeed this school year.

Here is an example of a Hygiene Kit (Ziploc 1 gallon plastic bag)

Next Steps

Jessica Canales and Coach Ariana Martinez from Ole Soccer are in charge of the drive and would love to hear from you. These 2 ladies are more than happy to assist and even accept donations to purchase the items for you if you just wish to donate money. We do not mind going and doing the work for you, this is just that important to us.

Here are a few ways to get involved:

1. Come out to our weekly practice or clinics to pick-up free Ziploc bags and a checklist

2. Purchase your own bag(s) and fill them up to donate

3. Purchase bags and get your office, co-workers, teams, organizations, company or family involved
– We HIGHLY encourage spreading the word to family, friends and co-workers. Let’s get as many people behind this wonderful cause and make a difference!

Where to donate and what dates?

There are two hygiene kit drop-off dates:

1. July 31, 2015

Location:
St. Patrick’s Church Field
6225 Cahuenga Blvd.
North Hollywood, CA 91606

Time: 6-7:30pm
(Same time as our Soccer Clinic & Yoga Fitness Class)

2. August 7, 2015

Location:
St. Patrick’s Church Field
6225 Cahuenga Blvd.
North Hollywood, CA 91606

Time: 6-7:30pm
(Same time as our Soccer Clinic & Yoga Fitness Class)

Money and gift card donations:

Money and gift card donations are welcomed. The LAUSD Homeless Education Program has listed the following as desired gift cards: Food4Less, Payless, 99ct Store, Target and Fallas Paredes. The same drop-off dates and locations apply for money and gift card donations.

We appreciate your support!