Backpack and school supply drives often don’t meet the needs of older youth in foster care; this story is part 1 of 3.
Walking across any school yard or college campus, it’s easy to spot the most common student accessory: the iconic backpack. Slung over shoulders, college students use backpacks to carry belongings from one side of campus to the other. Whether we attend community colleges or large universities, we hike up hills, trek over walkways, and sometimes run under bridges to get to our classes. Some college students who cannot afford housing even use their backpacks to carry toiletries.
Former foster youth need backpacks for the same reasons why we needed suitcases when we were in foster care: It is an essential staple in our lives that allows us to keep our belongings safe and prevent them from being stolen.
Here’s the problem
School backpack giveaways are often geared toward children. College students looking for a sturdy backpack often find plastic, lightweight backpacks decorated with unicorns, colorful stars, pink and purple hearts, cartoon characters, sprinkled with glitter at these giveaway events.
This is not acceptable. Former foster students who attend college need backpacks that are age appropriate.
During my high school days, I attended a backpack giveaway hosted by the youth department at a church. Though I was grateful, I found it comical to receive a small nylon backpack with no compartments. Inside, I found a pencil sharper, crayons and an educational child’s book.
City officials should consider providing backpacks to former foster students.
A good, sturdy backpack can be costly. I checked the price of backpacks at the Bruin Bookstore on the UCLA campus. The average price for a sturdy backpack with compartments was $85. Many former foster youth find affording a quality backpack challenging. Even more difficult is finding a sturdy, durable backpack. Though there are backpacks as low as $20, they rarely hold up, causing youth to worry that the zipper will break in a month or a book will easily tear the material.
Unlike elementary students who get off a school bus and walk a few feet to a classroom, college students are often carrying heavy books for long treks across campus. Rarely will you find ergonomic backpacks at giveaways that meet the needs of students carrying heavy loads.
According to CBS News, “A study reports that 65% of students in this study say they have back pain related to lugging around all their school stuff,” with “70% of students carry backpacks that are heavy enough to cause long-term back injury.” We would also benefit from information on how to avoid back strain and orthopedic issues. Ideally donated backpacks would contain compartments so the weight can be easily distributed.
For former foster youth who are more likely to end up homeless or struggle to find places to stay during school breaks, their backpacks easily become more than just an education accessory. Their backpack becomes their companion, hauling everything from their cell phone to extra clothing.
Solutions
While it’s important that people support young children by donating backpacks and school supplies to young children, it’s important not to forget older youth.
College bookstores could set aside a certain number of backpacks to donate specifically to former foster students and backpack giveaway events could have an area specifically for college students.
It would also be nice if local companies donated backpacks that have a compartment for laptops and other accessories.
Ultimately, we just don’t want to be forgotten as we are working so hard to reach our education goals and improve our lives and beat the dismal statistics that face former foster youth.
Our Pack to the Future Backpack Giveaway will provide school supplies, backpacks and more to college-bound youth who have spent time in foster care. If you would like to take part in this year’s drive, you can make an individual donation, shop our wishlist or become an event sponsor. For more info on how to get involved, please contact our team:
Raquel Wilson
Youth Voice Program Manager
[email protected]
Sarah St. Gelais
Communications and Engagement Manager
[email protected]
Christie Renick
Co-Executive Director
[email protected]
