Jennifer Erazo watches while daughter Jaliyah, 8 (center), makes decorative backpack rings with friends and sisters (from left) Maleah, 5, and Taleah, 11.
In 2024, the average annual income for a Britepaths client was $17,745 – far below the federal poverty level of $26,650 for a family of three. That’s why this Fairfax-based nonprofit is doing all it can to provide backpacks and essential school supplies to 500 local students in need.
It’s also making sure that 60 teachers will receive their own classroom supplies, such as tissues and hand
Making crafts with beads are the Hercules sisters, (from left) Genesis, 7, and Heidy, 4.
But Britepaths can’t do it alone, without the generous support of both people and organizations in this area. A donation of just $40 provides one student with a new backpack and a complete, grade-appropriate school-supply kit, curated with Britepaths’ partners at Educate Fairfax.
That way, said Britepaths Executive Director Abra Kurt, “Students can start the school year strong with the supplies and support they need. No parent should have to choose between food and school supplies for their child.”
The reason each donation is able to stretch so far is because Britepaths works with local wholesaler, Campus Supply Kits, whose price rate for nonprofits enables Britepaths to purchase new items at a greatly reduced cost. “This allows us to provide more of the items students need than donated, in-kind items sourced from big-box or online retailers,” said Kurt. “And of course, we couldn't provide these crucial supplies without our program sponsors and community partners.”
Anyone wishing to contribute may do so at britepaths.org/BTS25. Or they may mail checks, payable and addressed to Britepaths, 3959 Pender Drive, Suite 200, Fairfax, VA 22030. Please write BTS25 on the memo line. Donations for school supplies will be accepted through the end of September.
Meanwhile, on July 25-26, Britepaths held its first-ever Back-to-School Fair for its client families and their children. During the event, students in kindergarten through high school were able to pick out their new backpacks and supply kits; participate in reading activities and express their creativity at a special crafts area.
There, they made friendship bracelets; decorated folders, notebooks and backpack rings; and colored pictures. They also selected books from the onsite library. In addition, their parents were able to meet with Britepaths staff and volunteers who connected them with various community resources, gave them information about college readiness and scholarships, and told them about all the other programs and services Britepaths offers. And on the second day, community partner Lasagna Love provided a hot meal for the families.
In the crafts room July 25 Jennifer Erazo watched as daughter Jaliyah, 8, made decorative backpack rings with friends and sisters Maleah, 5, and Taleah, 11. They planned to put them on their new backpacks.
“It’s an amazing program, and it’s also nice that they have activities for the kids, too,” said Erazo. “Britepaths is also helping families with career information. A lot of times, people need this information, but don’t know where to get it. So it’s nice that they have something for both the parents and the kids.”
Making beaded bracelets were the Hercules sisters, Genesis, 7, and Heidy, 4. Their mom, Yoselin, was also happy that her children would be getting free backpacks. “They need them for school, so it’s a good idea,” she said. “It helps a lot to get the backpacks and supplies.”
In another room, Patricia Moreno stood beside a table filled with notebooks, colored pencils and paste, plus pamphlets about healthcare. Children could choose the school items they wanted, while Moreno, with Anthem HealthKeepers Plus, gave their parents information about how, why and when to apply for Medicaid and how recent changes have affected the program.
Finally, attendees made their way to the last room, where volunteers were stationed behind tables loaded with piles of backpacks arranged according to grade level. There, children selected both the size and color of their new backpacks. Mom Yanni Cooper brought her children, Khi, 6, and Sevyn, 2, who each picked out bright yellow ones.
Also pleased with the event, Cooper said, “I’ll have to get less back-to-school things now, and the kids got to choose what they wanted. And they enjoyed all the things they did, so we really appreciate it.”
Among the volunteers there were four people from Kearney & Co., one of Britepaths’ back-to-school-program sponsors. Carli Perrin, Christinah Fadahunsi, Vijay Malka and Jerry Butron handed out backpacks to children in grades three through six. “It’s important to help people in the community,” said Malka.
“Going through school is a monumental milestone for every kid, and I remember what that’s like,” said Perrin. “It can be scary going in on the first day. So anything we can do to help children focus on making friends, good memories and learning, [instead of worrying about school supplies], is something I want to be a part of.”
Agreeing, Fadahunsi said, “It’s a worthwhile effort. Even just the littlest thing can help make an impact on someone’s life.”
Butron said he volunteered for this effort to “help out and give back. A lot of people need help, this time of year, with back-to-school season, so it feels great – both for me and for them.”