'Drive for Success' Campaign for Homeless Kids Continues Through Aug. 9

Approximately 17,400 school-aged children in San Diego County identified their family as being homeless during the 2011-12 school year. Of these children, nearly 2,400 attended a North County school.

The San Diego Office of Education (SDCOE) has partnered with local businesses and government agencies for the "Drive for Success" campaign to provide more than 4,500 homeless children across the region with much-needed school supplies. 

The five-week school supply collection campaign began July 1 and will conclude on Aug 9.  

The Drive for Success School Supply Drive is asking for donations of backpacks, binders, spiral notebooks, binder paper, calculators, color pencils, erasers, flashcards, glue sticks, highlighters, ink pens, marking pens, notebooks, pencils, pencil sharpeners, subject folders, rulers, scissors, and tape. 

School supply donations can be dropped off at the SDCOE main campus located at 6401 Linda Vista Road, Room 211 in San Diego or at any local California Coast Credit Union. 

Visit www.calcoastcu.org for a list a credit union locations.    

The National Center on Family Homelessness reports that homeless children are eight times more likely to be asked to repeat a grade, three times more likely to be placed in special education classes and twice as likely to score lower on standardized tests. 

These students face a range of problems regarding schooling, from finding a way to get to school, to having the appropriate clothing and finding a quiet place to study.

“These students are enduring challenges that many of us have not had to face,” said Dr. Randy Ward, San Diego County Superintendent of Schools. “The Drive for Success donation drive will ensure these students have the supplies they need to start the school year ready for classes and ready to build a better future.”

The Drive for Success effort is sponsored by the San Diego County Office of Education, California Coast Credit Union, the City of Chula Vista, the Eli Lily and Company, the County of San Diego Department of Housing and Community Development, Macy’s and the United Way of San Diego County.