Back to School with Confidence
How Our Community Helped Survivors and Their Children Step into a New School Year
Back-to-school season brings a special kind of energy—new backpacks being zipped open for the first time, fresh notebooks waiting to be filled, and the quiet mix of nerves and excitement that comes with meeting new teachers and classmates. For many families, this is a yearly ritual, one that signals a fresh start.
But for families rebuilding their lives after experiencing domestic violence, the start of a new school year often looks very different. When a parent makes the courageous decision to leave an abusive situation, they may arrive at shelter or transitional housing with only the essentials or sometimes, with nothing at all. School supplies, clothing, and even the simple experience of letting a child pick out their favorite backpack are often inaccessible.
That’s where our community stepped in this year—and the impact has been incredible.
Creating a day of choice and joy
In the weeks leading up to the start of school, our team hosted a special back-to-school day for the children staying in our shelter and working with our advocacy center. The event took place in our children’s playroom, a space that usually provides comfort and healing through play and connection. On this day, though, the room was transformed into something magical: a mini store stocked with colorful backpacks, rows of pencils and crayons, stacks of notebooks, and all the essentials kids need to start their school year with confidence.
What made the day even more meaningful was the opportunity for the children themselves to make their own selections. Each child walked through the playroom, carefully choosing the supplies that spoke to them. For some, it was about finding the backpack in their favorite color. For others, it was selecting the notebook with the design that made them smile.
These choices may seem small on the surface, but for children who have been through trauma, having a say and exercising autonomy is a powerful step in healing. It’s a reminder that their voices matter, their preferences are important, and they deserve to step into the new school year just like any other student—prepared, supported, and full of possibility.
The power of community generosity
Thanks to your donations and gift cards, parents can feel empowered to provide for their children, and our team is reminded that when a community comes together, real change is possible. Together, we provided over $4,500 in school supplies—backpacks, notebooks, pencils, crayons, binders, and more—along with more than $1,000 in gift cards.
The effort was so impactful that it caught the attention of KSL 5 TV, which featured the drive and highlighted vital resources survivors need. In the interview, our Child Advocate, Madison J., shared the importance of creating a sense of normalcy and dignity for children heading back to school:
“When families are escaping a violent situation, many come here with nothing. While we try hard to provide safety and healing, we also ask for donations because having something like a new backpack can make all the difference. We can make sure that these kids walk into the school year with confidence and dignity.”
For survivors, these donations represent more than supplies. They are tangible proof that their community sees them, believes in them, and is committed to walking alongside them as they rebuild their lives
Why gift cards matter
While donated supplies are crucial, we intentionally fundraised for gift cards this year because of the unique impact they provide. Gift cards give survivors something beyond the physical item—they offer mobility, flexibility, and choice.
Many survivors of domestic violence have had control stripped away from them in countless ways, from financial decisions to the most basic choices of daily life. Handing a survivor a gift card flips that narrative. It allows them to walk into a store or browse online and decide for themselves what their child needs most. Maybe it’s the exact brand of calculator required for a math class, or a backpack that feels more age-appropriate for a middle schooler, or simply the chance to let their child pick out something special.
That freedom to choose restores dignity. It reinforces the survivor’s role as a parent in control of the decisions for their family. And it provides a sense of normalcy that every family deserves.
As Madison J. explained in her interview:
“It can be normal to have those butterflies, and especially not knowing if you’re going to have new school supplies or, you know, just being in a new housing environment. So it’s really important to have this sense of normalcy.”
Normalcy and choice are not luxuries—they are stepping stones to healing.
Looking ahead
As the school year unfolds, we know that the supplies provided by our community will continue to make a difference in classrooms and homes. Children will open their backpacks each day, write in their new notebooks, and feel confident. Parents will know they have the power to provide for their children, thanks to both donations and gift cards. And our team will carry the reminder that when a community comes together, real change is possible.
Our back-to-school drive is just one example of how community support makes a direct impact on the lives of survivors. Every notebook donated, every dollar contributed, every gift card purchased was part of a larger message: you are not alone. We are deeply grateful to everyone who pitched in, whether through supplies, gift cards, or spreading the word.
Thank you for making this school year brighter, safer, and full of possibilities.