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A quest to prepare all youth with the readiness and confidence to put their best foot forward for their upcoming school year.

The Y makes strengthening communities our cause. We strongly believe that children, who have the necessities they need to succeed, can focus on learning rather than worrying about having shoes to wear on the playground and crayons to color their assignments. Each child who enters the program gets partnered with a trusted “shopping buddy” volunteer to help pick their most significant needs for the upcoming school year without worrying about the cost.

The Bright Beginnings program equips kids with readiness and confidence on the first day of school. Since 2003, Bright Beginnings has helped nearly 10,000 children prepare to start the new school year, ready to learn, with more than 25 back-to-school shopping trips every August to ensure they have the clothes, shoes, and school supplies to start their school year on the right foot.

HOW TO GET INVOLVED