Uniforms Help Students Prepare for Successful School Year

As children in need prepare to go back to school, the Society of St. Vincent de Paul in Baton Rouge is giving them a boost of courage and confidence through its Uniform for Kids Program. Instead of dealing with negative peer pressure for not wearing the proper attire, they can focus on succeeding in school and reconnecting with old friends and making new ones.

Uniforms for Kids, which was established in 1998, hopes to distribute 16,000 uniforms to 8,000 students across 12 parishes this year.

“The program is designed to provide parents with uniforms if they are not able to afford them” said Cheryl Scott, supervisor of the Uniforms for Kids program. “Each child receives two uniforms.”

After the initial distribution the uniforms are given to schools in the East Baton Rouge Parish School System to further distribute to children in need.

Parents coming in to receive uniforms at the SVdP thrift store on Plank Road in Baton Rouge express their appreciation for the uniforms, according to Scott.

“The parents come in and say how helpful it is for them … especially if they have a big family,” she said.

Marquita, a single mother of three, is one of those parents.

“It’s a great opportunity to have the kids come out and get new uniforms,” said Marquita. “They have their uniforms, and they’re excited about going to school.”

Kassanga, who is caring for her grandson, spoke about how the uniforms help relieve negative peer pressure.

“Life has its ups and downs so it's good that these kids can be like the other kids when they go to school, because they get picked on and bullied when they don't have the proper uniform or the supplies. So, I thank God for St. Vincent de Paul,” Kassanga said.

Angelica, a single mother of four, said, “It helps see us through tough times. When I think about what I can’t afford and what I can afford, it helps. With this economy we need that kind of help. Sometimes my job is stable and sometimes it’s not … It’s conditional on how much I work. It helps for the kids going to school. I won’t have to be worried about them starting off without something.”

At school her children have been on the honor roll and have received certificates of achievement, Angelica proudly noted. And the uniforms help her focus on stabilizing her finances.

“It helps me to continue online (training) because I started a new employment within this past couple of weeks,” said Angelica. “It helps me to not have to stop and think about things that get so rough right now.”

Arianne, likewise, finds SVdP’s uniform assistance helps her to focus on obtaining a good job. She currently works as a substitute teacher in the East Baton Rouge School System and at a large merchandise retail store.

“It relieves the challenge of buying clothes for all of them,” said Arianne, who has four children. “It’s not easy for families like us, who are rebuilding our lives and trying to come back up into the world.”

But the uniforms help her stay positive as she strives to become a full-time teacher.

“I’m taking classes online at LSU in Alexandria to get my certification in teaching,” Arianne said.

Helping children and families thrive as the school year begins is important to SVdP, according to CEO Sunnie Johnson-Lain.

“St. Vincent de Paul is honored to be able to serve our 12-parish region through the Uniforms for Kids program,” Johnson-Lain said. “For over 25 years, our goal has been to set children and families up for school success by ensuring that children have access to new school uniforms. This simple act eases worry for families and sends kids to school with dignity.

“It is truly a joy to see boys and girls happy and excited to start the school year because of this program, which is made possible through the generosity of our community,” she said. 

For information on how to donate to Uniform for Kids, visit svdpbr.net/uniforms-for-kids.