Every year, thousands of California students receive college acceptance letters—their ticket to a better future. But for low-income families, the $500-$800 cost of dorm essentials (bedding, towels, school supplies) can derail that dream before it even begins.

I'm Claudine, and together with my spouse and sister, we run a small grassroots charity here in Los Angeles. We're not a big nonprofit—we're just four people who saw a need and decided to do something about it.

Last year, we helped 2 college freshmen with $540 in donations. We bought them everything they needed to move into their dorms: twin XL bedding, bath towels, shower caddy, laundry baskets,

shower shoes, and other essentials. Both students wrote to us saying they could focus on studying instead of worrying about basics. That experience changed us. We realized how much impact $260 could make in a young person's life.

The average dorm room essentials cost $500-800. For families already stretching every dollar to cover tuition, fees, and textbooks, there's simply nothing left for bedding, towels, or study supplies. Many students:

- Sleep on bare mattresses the first week

- Share towels or use old t-shirts

- Skip buying desk lamps and study supplies

- Feel ashamed arriving to college "unprepared"

This isn't just about comfort—it's about dignity and the ability to focus on academics instead of survival.

We've created a proven model to provide complete dorm room essentials for $260 per student:

What Each Student Receives:

- Bedding: Twin XL sheets, comforter, pillow ($80)

- Bath: Towels, shower caddy, shower shoes ($55)

- Cleaning: Laundry basket/Bags($15)

- Academic: Planner, USB drive, Desk lamp, backpack ($85)

-Moving Bags: ($25)

Our Budget Breakdown:

- 10 students × $260 = $2,600 directly to students (94% of funds)

-Minimal operations (packaging, delivery): $150 (6% of funds)

- Total Goal: $2,750

We select students through a merit-based essay application. Each applicant writes 200 words on: "How will receiving the essentials for your dorm room help you transition to college and/or ease

the financial burden of college?"

Our priorities are:

- First-generation college students

- Students from low to mid-income families

-Those attending residential programs across California

- Commitment to academic success

We need to raise this money by May 1, 2025 so students have their essentials before fall semester move-in.

Here's our timeline:

- Now - May 1: Fundraising campaign

- May 5-15: Review student applications and select 10 recipients

- May 25 - June 1: Purchase supplies (we shop at Target, Walmart, Amazon, and Kohl's for the best prices)

- June 23-July 1: Organize and package items

- July 5 - August: Deliver essentials to students

- August/Sept: Students move into dorms with everything they need

100% transparency:

- We'll post updates showing exactly what we purchase

- Photos of items being organized and packaged

- Thank-you messages from students (with permission)

- Receipts available upon request

We're volunteers:

- None of us take a salary

- We shop for the best prices to maximize every dollar

- We deliver items personally whenever possible

Will you help us give 10 students a strong start to their college journey?

Your impact:

- $40 = Provides laundry basket/bag and moving bags for one student

- $55 = Provides bath items for one student

- $130 = Provides half of one student's complete package

- $260 = Provides everything for ONE complete student

- $2,750 = Provides everything for ALL 10 students

Every dollar makes a difference. Every share helps us reach our goal.

These students have worked hard to get into college. They've earned the grades, passed the tests, and overcome obstacles many of us can't imagine. They deserve to start college with dignity, confidence, and the basic supplies every student needs.

Thank you for believing in California's next generation of college graduates.