Be Alright Back to School 2021 Campaign! 

Dear Be Alright Supporters!
We are excited to announce the 2021 Be Alright Back to School Campaign!
 
It's amazing to believe this is our 12th year ensuring that children and teens living in various Chicago-area Domestic Violence Shelters are ready with a new backpack and supplies on the first day of school!
 
In 2020, to prevent the spread of COVID-19 among our kids, their family members and community, kids enrolled in the Chicago Public School system, spent most of their classroom time virtually but this year, depending on the new COVID variant and spread, they may be heading back to their traditional settings and need those backpacks again by August 30th!

So you may be wondering, "How will Be Alright support these young survivors during this particularly challenging time?" 
 
We have explored the above for many months and because every shelter has special and specific needs, as does every survivor and their family, we will remain open and flexible in how we serve. This year, for most of the shelters, we are ordering supplies that we will pack or deliver to the organizations so they can pack their own supplies! The DV organizations we will be supporting this year are: Family Rescue, Maria Shelter, House of the Good Shepherd, Madonna House, Apna Ghar, Greenhouse Shelter, Centro Romero and Su Casa.
 
We hope at this point you're asking, "Well, how can I help?" If you've helped us in the past, you may be looking forward to shopping for one or several kids. At this time, instead of shopping yourselves, you have the option to join a small packing event to be held at my house on Thursday, August 12th from 10am to 2pm. If you are able and interested in joining us that day, please send us an email at bealrightchicago@gmail.com along with an approximate time you will join so I can keep track of how many people will be together at any certain time and I will send you more details. Our suggested donation for the event is $100/person or approximately the amount you may have spent had you shopped at Target for a 7th grader but any amount will be appreciated because your time and engagement is very valuable to us! And of course you can help us pack as many bags as you'd like during the event! 

Another way you can help us, if you're unable to join the packing event, is to donate toward the campaign. Our goal is to raise $10,000 toward this effort and to support close to 500 kids, teens and college-age students that are on our list and look forward to your help to make this a reality. Again, any amount is welcome! 

Paypal is still the easiest way to donate but please just make sure you note that this is a "gift to a friend" and not "for goods and services". Thank you!

Here's our quick PayPal Link: paypal.me/bealrightchicago

Thank you all, for everything and may this message find you and your loved ones well.
We send you our love and support. XO
 
Great Love,
Be Alright