Summer-long drive focuses on equipping under-resourced students with the necessities they need to succeed in pursuing their higher education dreams
Charlotte, NC (July 12, 2021) — Greater Steps Scholars, formerly known as the Charlotte Housing Authority Scholarship Fund, is hosting a summer-long Dorm Room & School Supply Drive. The goal of the Drive is to provide the organization’s scholars with the essential items they need to comfortably pursue their goal of a college education.
Greater Steps Scholars fights poverty by helping Charlotte’s most vulnerable students — those living in INLIVIAN-managed subsidized housing — access higher education by providing scholarships, mentorship, and guidance. The organization believes that financial access to a post-secondary education, combined with emotional support and social capital, will create viable paths to self-sufficiency and economic mobility for under-resourced students.
“Tuition, housing, textbooks and computers — these are the essentials we tend to think about when a student goes to college, but the true needs are often more basic than that,” says Aisha Strothers, Executive Director of Greater Steps Scholars. “We’ve found that our scholars often struggle their freshman year due to the lack of school supplies, bedding, and toiletries. Our Dorm Room & School Supply Drive will ensure these students have all the tools they need to succeed.”
At the organization’s upcoming 38th Annual Awards Ceremony on Sunday, August 1, 26 graduating scholars will be recognized as they prepare for their college journey.
Greater Steps Scholars is asking the Charlotte community to help with donations for the Dorm Room & School Supply Drive by providing the following:
- Bedding, including Bed-in-a-Bag sets that include flat and fitted sheets, pillowcases, and comforters as well as mattress pads and pillows;
- Toiletries, including shampoo and conditioner, razors and shaving cream, soap, towels and washcloths, toothbrushes and toothpaste, deodorant, shower shoes, and shower caddies;
- Dorm room needs such as laundry detergent, fabric softeners, laundry bags and baskets, and hangers; and
- School supplies, including pens and pencils, notebooks and folders, binders, USB cord adapters, printer paper, index cards and post-it notes, dividers, and heavy-duty backpacks.
The Dorm Room & School Supply drive will run through the end of August, with supplies being disseminated to Scholars before they head off to school in the fall. To support the Drive, or arrange to drop-off supplies, please contact Executive Director Aisha Strothers at executivedirector@greatersteps.org or call (704) 973-4567.
For more information on Greater Steps Scholars, please visit https://greatersteps.org/
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About Greater Steps Scholars
Greater Steps Scholars, formerly the Charlotte Housing Authority Scholarship Fund, is a fund designed to make certain that every child living in housing subsidized by INLIVIAN has both the opportunity for and expectation of a college education. In addition to financial aid, Greater Steps Scholars provides programming designed to inspire young people to work toward becoming independent, self-reliant citizens of the community by lending a helping hand. Since its inception, nearly 940 scholarships totaling $3.8 million have been awarded. For more information, visit www.greatersteps.org.
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Nepherterra Best
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