KIDS MATTER INTERNATIONAL

AROUND THE BLOCK IS A KIDS MATTER INTERNATIONAL PROGRAM WHOSE MISSION IS TO ADDRESS THE CLOTHING NEEDS OF DISADVANTAGED AND UNDERPRIVILEGED SCHOOL AGE CHILDREN. IT IS ACCOMPLISHED THROUGH A PARTNERSHIP WITH KOHL'S DEPARTMENT STORES, LOCAL TITLE I SCHOOLS, AND AGENCIES THAT HELP IDENTIFY THOSE CHILDREN IN NEED. FUNDS ARE PROVIDED THROUGH INDIVIDUALS, BUSINESSES, AND OTHER LOCAL ORGANIZATIONS. FOR A MAJORITY OF CHILDREN, IT IS THE FIRST TIME THEY ARE RECEIVING NEW CLOTHES AS OPPOSED TO HAND-ME-DOWNS. SCHOOL COUNSELORS HAVE INFORMED US THAT THIS PROGRAM IS THE ONLY KNOWN AVAILABLE PROGRAM MEETING THE CLOTHING NEEDS OF THESE CHILDREN AND THAT IT POSITIVELY IMPACTS THE SELF-ESTEEM OF THE CHILDREN. AROUND THE BLOCK SERVED 1,693 CHILDREN WHO LIVE IN POVERTY.

RAMP UP READING/LITERACY IS A KIDS MATTER INTERNATIONAL PROGRAM WHOSE MISSION IS TO IMPROVE COMPREHENSION AND READING SKILLS OF DISADVANTAGED AND UNDERPRIVILEGED SCHOOL AGE CHILDREN. IT RAISES AWARENESS AND EXCITEMENT ABOUT THE IMPORTANCE OF READING AND LITERACY. IT IS ACCOMPLISHED THROUGH A PARTNERSHIP WITH EMPLOYEES OF KOHL'S DEPARTMENT STORES AND VOLUNTEERS WHO DISTRIBUTE THOUSANDS OF BOOKS ANNUALLY ON A VARIETY OF TOPICS TO THESE CHILDREN. EACH CHILD SELECTS A BOOK OF INTEREST THAT THEY GET TO KEEP. VOLUNTEERS SPEND HOURS READING WITH AND TO THE CHILDREN WITH THE GOAL OF HELPING THEM IMPROVE THEIR READING AND COMPREHENSION SKILLS THUS IMPROVING THE CHILD'S OVERALL SELF-CONFIDENCE AND LEARNING ABILITIES. IN 2024-2025, 10,000 BOOKS WERE DISTRIBUTED TO TITLE 1 SCHOOLS IN TEXAS. In addition to Title 1 schools, books are distributed to Boys/Girls Clubs, orphanages, and womens shelters.