Over 1,000 students in the Mt. Diablo Unified School District are either homeless or in foster care, according to MDUSD school board member Brian Lawrence.
If you’re in a position to help this holiday season, Lawrence tells us the best way to do it:
Hello families,
I am consistently appreciative of the generosity of our community. I’m hoping we can work together to help some kids who really need it.
Last year there were more than 800 students in the Mt. Diablo Unified School District who were homeless or in foster care. This year the numbers will be even higher – it looks like it will be in excess of 1,000 students. Even during a time of economic prosperity, increased housing and living expenses have made it a real struggle for some of our neighbors. This touches every school in our area- you cannot always tell who is struggling just by appearances.
MDUSD HOPE provides clothing, food and gift cards to these students. The School Board has heard directly from the kids who are impacted- they have shared their struggles as well their triumph such as making the honor roll and getting accepted to college. It is both heartbreaking and inspiring to hear from them.
If you are in a position to give, I am hoping you can take 30 seconds to Venmo (immediate, trackable and no fees are taken out) a donation to “MDUSDHOPE”. Two donors have offered to give a combined $35 for each of the next one hundred donations ($3,500 contribution).
It would make the holidays a bit merrier for kids who could greatly use the help if you were able to donate.
Thank you and I hope you and your loved ones are having a wonderful holiday season.
Brian Lawrence
MDUSD Board Member
Where is the link?
venmo.com is an app you download. I don’t use it, not really sure how it is set up…..
It asks for the last four digits of the phone number to confirm it’s the correct person. What should we use?
4388 or you can click ignore. Thank you!
If you’d like to send a check or gift card, you can send it to:
Mt. Diablo HOPE
2730 Salvio Street, Room 24 Concord, CA 94519
I’m told by staff that the last 4 digits of the phone number are 4388, but people have also made the donation without needing to put that in.
We have already received 46 donations for $1,845 prior to the matching contributions. Thank you to the Mayor for posting and for the generosity of the community!
Is there a way to send a check? These days I do not like to put my credit card on any devices.
Hi Carolyn,
If you’d like to send a check or gift card, you can send it to:
Mt. Diablo HOPE
2730 Salvio Street, Room 24 Concord, CA 94519
Thanks!
But you give them your bank account number?.
In the Venmo app, search for @mdusdhope as the recipient. Donation sent!
Ayers was doing a food drive for the HOPE program. It feels good to give back right here in our own community to our own youth. The students who have the future ahead of them and need assistance is important to recognize and help where you can.
For the last 4 digits, I just clicked Don’t know their number and let it send without “confirmation” just make sure the phone is two hands holding the words Hope 🙂
Hah! That works as well. I’m told by staff the last four digits are 4388.
Sending my donation now! Thank you for posting so we can help these kids. Happy Holidays everyone.
That’s 1 in 30 students that are homeless or in foster care! If true, that is real high. Sounds inflated.
I would like to know more details on definitions of homeless and foster care.
State statistics for 2018 show 246,296 homeless students in the state, with
211,6079 (85.9%) listed as doubled up(?).
More info is needed.
As we’ve seen in other topics related to the State and State funding, if a State agency changes the definition of a term to include more people, the result is a surprising surge in the number of those affected. 25% seems like quite the increase in one year. I hope those truly in need receive what they need.
I understand why the foster kids are included in this. Too many of the foster parents just pocket the money they get for fostering and little to none of it actually goes to helping the kids. But please give anyhow if only because some of it will also help the homeless kids.
Wonder what the tally is so far????
Great cause, you should also create a fundraiser via Facebook as well!