Wolf Lake Neighbors Foundation Helps Homeless Children
Carolyn Rojas (L) and Jean Eifert (R)
Posted Friday, November 15, 2024 7:00 am
WOLF LAKE – Every student grader at Rutherford Elementary School in Monticello faces hard tasks, like memorizing the multiplication tables, or reading chapter books. But some of the pupils face additional challenges, because they are living in shelters or motels, or moving between the overcrowded homes of relatives and friends. And families that can’t afford rent often have trouble meeting other needs, like clothing and personal hygiene items.
Small charities like the Wolf Lake Neighbors Foundation can’t solve homelessness, but they can certainly help eight and nine-year-olds with necessities like toothbrushes and soap, toilet paper, socks and underwear.
Since the beginning of the school year, the WLNF, based in Rock Hill, has been taking concrete steps to help. The foundation has stocked a “care closet” in the school, where children can go discreetly to get personal items that most of us take for granted.
Kenneth L. Rutherford Elementary has about 500 students, and at any one time, about 15 are homeless. But over the course of a year, some families get housing, some are evicted, and others arrive in Monticello without a place to live. The care closet is focused on the most needy at the school, and helps them get through difficult periods in their lives.
“We want children to be able to focus on learning, and not where to get a toothbrush,” said Jean Eifert, a retired educator and member of the foundation’s board. “Having much-needed personal care items discreetly available, right in the school, can make a difference in a child’s confidence and feelings of self-worth.”
The closet also has t-shirts and sweat pants. Having appropriate clothing is an important part of fitting in for members of this age group.
The school, also known by its initials, KLR, is in a low-income area, and many of the students are from families where English is not spoken, so school is critical for their success.
Rutherford already serves breakfast and lunch to all students. The care closet complements the mission of the school to meet the children’s needs.
The closet is managed by Carolyn Rojas, the social skills teacher at Rutherford. Students can come to her privately and she will meet their needs. She has distributed hundreds of items to dozens of children in the first two months of the school year.
Ms. Rojas said, “The Wolf Lake Neighbors Foundation was instrumental in the development of our KLR Care Closet. The foundation understood our vision for the closet and that students cannot come to school and learn if their basic needs are not being met. We explained our students’ needs and they delivered! We could not be more grateful!”
The program is focused on students in the upper elementary grades because this is a pivotal time. Studies show that children who don’t learn to read fluently by the third grade are far less likely to graduate from high school and go on to good jobs and successful lives
But keeping it stocked is a continuing challenge. The foundation is seeking funds to keep the closet available for the remainder of this school year, and for next year too. You can learn more about the organization, and how to help, at https://www.wolflakeneighbors.org/
The Wolf Lake Neighbors Foundation was founded in 2022, and is supported by about 50 donors, including individuals and companies, who have given their money or time to help. It is a 501(c)(3) charity. The foundation also has a scholarship program for college students, and supports literacy programs at local libraries.
Contacts:
Jean Eifert, WLNF, Jeaneifert334@gmail.com, (646) 966-4188
Carolyn Rojas crojas@k12mcsd.net
