Hi, my name is Sheeva. I go to a high school in the East Side Union High School District (ESUHSD) with many low-income students of diverse ethnic backgrounds. I’ve recently learned that this year, because of the current pandemic, the number of homeless students within this district has more than doubled. Currently, there are more than 410 unhoused students compared to the 204 from last year.

 

Beginning this fundraiser on my own, I will donate all proceeds (after deducting necessary transaction fees) to the ESUHSD Education Foundation before December 10th of this year so the staff can buy gift cards and distribute to numerous hapless, unhoused students within the district before school holiday break starts.

 

These unfortunate students are children and youths who aren’t able to have a permanent nighttime residence due the loss of housing and their parents’ economic hardship. With no adequate accommodations, they must find temporary shelter in outdated cars, flimsy tents, unsanitary spaces, or wherever they can. These children no longer have their once-cozy homes which protected them from the unforgiving, cold and rainy winter season. A reliable, warm, and protective shelter can unfortunately only exist in their dreams.

 

Please help these financially disadvantaged students by donating any amount you could afford to give. Your donation, before December 10th, means so much to them. They can buy necessary items and feed their unfilled stomachs.

 

Your donations will also greatly affect the students’ mentalities. Joy and hope are brought to them with your help. Those who are grown enough will appreciate and realize that there are still many good-hearted people in this world thinking of them during their most difficult time. Hopefully, this acknowledgement encourages them to persevere and try their best to reach their academic goals so they can obtain financial stability in the future, encouraging both themselves and other family members to step out of unprecedented, impoverished situations. Who knows, maybe someday, these students could follow your footsteps in becoming donors themselves, thinking of and helping others in need.

 

Thank you so much for creating even the slightest change and making this small world a better place for homeless students.

 

Sheeva P.