Help Turn No Into YES for Kids in Need This Holiday Season

Like most kids, Alex just wants to belong.

So when a classmate started teasing him about his shoes one day, Alex was crushed. But it wasn’t just the laughter that got to him. It I was what the kid said:

“You look like a homeless person.”

The thing is, Alex is experiencing homelessness. 

And like the millions of other kids facing this crisis in the U.S., being “found out” was among his biggest worries. It’s not just embarrassing when your peers know you don’t have a home; it’s devastating—emotionally, socially, and even academically.

“Maya has been wearing her only pair of shoes every day for a year. Since it’s been such a rainy year, they’ve started to smell really bad, but she knows her dad can’t afford new ones. She mentioned other people have told her she smelled bad, and it made her feel uncomfortable.” – Gretchen, a school official in South Portland, ME

“My old shoes are worn out and uncomfortable, making it hard to walk and play like other kids.” – Franklin, a student in Baltimore County, MD

For Alex, Maya, and Franklin—and for every other child experiencing homelessness in our country—wearing worn-out, ill-fitting shoes sends a message: “I don’t have what you have. I’m not like you. I don’t belong.”

The answer to, “Can I sit with you at lunch?” is no.

The answer to, “Can I be your lab partner?” is no.

The answer to, “Can I play soccer with you?” is no.

We’re asking you to help us turn NO into YES… by making a donation today to provide brand new, name-brand athletic shoes to kids experiencing homelessness.

The impact you’ll make through something as simple as a new pair of shoes is impossible to overstate.

When Alex’s NO became a YES…

…he experienced joy:

“He was able to pick a new pair of shoes, one that matched his personality and allowed him to feel like every other kid at school. Wow, did that bring the biggest smile to his face!”

Maya’s YES meant belonging:

“She was so excited to see all the shoe options. She said it’s so nice to get something new for a change. The new shoes will make her feel more comfortable and fit in at school. She’ll be able to play soccer in them!”

And Franklin’s YES brought him confidence:

“Getting new shoes has made such a difference for me. I feel confident and happy. I don’t have to worry about my feet hurting or being embarrassed about my shoes. I can run, jump, and participate in gym class without any problems. These new shoes make me feel like I belong and can do anything, just like everyone else.”

None of this would be possible without the support of generous people like you. 

Our goal is to provide brand new, name-brand athletic shoes to at least 6,500 of them before the end of the year. 

You can help us reach this goal by making a donation today! 

For every $20 you give, another child will receive new shoes. Another child’s NO will become a YES.

P.S. Living without stable housing is difficult. But being seen by your peers as “the homeless kid” is devastating. Kids experiencing homelessness are met with NO after NO after NO. Together we can turn NO into YES, bringing comfort and joy to kids this holiday season. Please give generously.

*We’ve changed all children’s names to respect their privacy.