For More Information Contact:
Ashley Pester
Cell: 513-659-8202
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CHOICES Foster Youth Receive New Shoes in Partnership with Famous Footwear & Ticket to Dream Foundation
Providing Children Back to School Necessities
Dayton, OH – (August 18, 2022) – CHOICES has announced, through partnership with Famous Footwear and Ticket to Dream Foundation, that over fifty of their youth in foster care and kinship care are scheduled to receive brand new shoes and school supplies on Saturday, August 20, at the Huber Heights Famous Footwear location.
CHOICES has been a partner with Ticket to Dream since 2016. The partnership includes in-kind donations, events and monetary gifts to support foster youth.
In the spirit of back-to-school season, Famous Footwear and Ticket to Dream Foundation are partnering to host six shopping sprees in Famous Footwear stores in select cities. At each shopping spree, 65 foster youth are invited to pick out a new pair of shoes, socks and a backpack filled with supplies.
“For many foster youth, new shoes, and shopping for yourself, is a rare commodity. That’s what makes these Famous Footwear Shopping Sprees so special. These kids get free reign of the store to find the shoes of their dreams, new socks and a backpack. It’s a day full of smiles and excitement. We’re so thankful for Famous Footwear’s year-round support,” said Gina Davis, CEO of Ticket to Dream Foundation.
“Since the program launched in 2020, over 344,000 foster youth will have been impacted by our partnership with Ticket to Dream Foundation,” said Mike Edwards, president of Famous Footwear. “We are so happy we can be a part of this mission and give back, not only providing the joy that a new pair of shoes can bring, but also essentials and experiences that many foster youth would not be able to have otherwise.”
CHOICES has served youth and families for over 35 years in the Miami Valley. While most people recognize them for their foster care services they also provide transitional age services, family preservation and reunification programming and are one of the only children’s in-home mental health providers in the Dayton area.
“Our agency has been excited about this opportunity for our kids to pick out new shoes. It means a lot that each child is able to pick out their own style without having to watch the price.” said Jane Anderson, Executive Director of CHOICES. “Moments like this help youth in care feel included, valued, and will help them stand tall with confidence on the first day of school. CHOICES is most grateful for the partnership of Ticket to Dream and Famous Footwear.
Ticket to Dream Foundation is dedicated to providing hope and opportunity for foster children across the nation, so they can focus on being kids. They believe it starts with joining forces with businesses and local communities to ensure foster youth of all ages have the school supplies, holiday gifts, properly fitting clothing and shoes that all children need to thrive. Ticket to Dream partners with over 200 non-profit foster care agencies, reaching 175,000 children across the country, to help foster youth quickly and efficiently in communities.
Famous Footwear is supporting this multi-year partnership through the following:
- Famous shoppers can donate at the register when they’re shopping in-store and online. Customers will have the option to round up to the nearest dollar or donate other amounts based on their preference
- Famous is donating shoes direct to Ticket to Dream Foundation to be allocated nationwide based on need
- Supporters are also able to make additional donations online at tickettodream.org/famous
CHOICES mission is to bring change to youth and families by providing personalized services and building safe environments. They have served Southwest Ohio for 36 years, beginning with foster care and growing to include transitional age services and home-based children’s mental health. CHOICES is a leader in child welfare and mental health services. Partnerships and individual donors help meet the basic needs of children and provide enhancements not covered by service fees. To learn more about becoming a foster parent or community partner please visit choicesohio.org
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