Starting Strong: Helping Kids Go Back to School with Dignity
- asines7
- Jul 21, 2025
- 4 min read
As Cobb County students head back to school on Monday, August 4, many are excited for new friendships and fresh classrooms. Yet for families experiencing homelessness, even those staying doubled‑up, in motels, or in shelters, the back‑to‑school season ignites deep anxiety. Packing supplies isn’t the worry; simply finding a backpack they can call their own is. At Family Promise of Cobb County, we believe every student deserves to start strong, enter the school year with confidence, and feel the care of a community that values their dignity.
Understanding the Challenge: Family Homelessness During Back‑to‑School
Family homelessness impacts academic success in real, measurable ways. Nationwide, over 1.3 million students were identified as homeless in the 2019–20 school year; this is likely an undercount (US Dept. of Education) More than ever, children are living in unstable conditions, rooming with other families, sleeping in cars, motels, or emergency shelters.
Metro‑Atlanta mirrors this trend. Nearly 12,000 students, roughly 2% of the 631,274 enrolled in five counties, were unhoused during the 2023–24 school year (Ga Dept. Of Education) In Cobb County specifically:
Cobb County Schools reported just under 1,500 homeless students, while Marietta City Schools had around 450—for a total approaching 1,950 children living in housing instability.
Meaning over 16% of Metro Atlanta homeless students live in Cobb County,
That marks a 5–6% increase over previous years, and notably, over half of these students are staying in motels or hotels.
Homeless youth face layered challenges:
Studies show students experiencing homelessness are 1.5× more likely to fall behind in reading and spelling, and 2.5× more likely to underperform in math (Tacoma Housing Authority). They also face higher absenteeism, suspension rates, and even increased risk of dropping out.
Why Supplies Matter—More Than You Think
You might assume donated notebooks and pens check the box, but the truth is more complex. Having their own supplies empowers students with self‑worth and belonging. Without it, they may feel ashamed, isolated, or afraid to participate.
The McKinney‑Vento Act helps by ensuring transportation and enrollment for homeless students, yet it doesn’t provide school supplies. Without the dignity of choice, children can feel like outsiders, undermining educational outcomes. Research links a sense of school belonging to not only better mental health, lower anxiety and depression, but also improved grades, attendance, and overall school engagement.
In the words of a recent study:
“Homeless or unstably housed students miss school or change schools frequently, perform poorly on standardized tests, and repeat grades or drop out.” Tacoma Housing Authority
How FPCC Makes a Difference
Family Promise of Cobb County (FPCC) stands beside families in need by mobilizing local partners, volunteers, host congregations, and community donors. Through our transitional housing, case management, and rotational shelter programs, we build wraparound stability for children and parents alike.
With your support, last year alone we helped:
Ensure safe shelter, back‑to‑school kits, and wraparound development support
Move families forward into stable housing and educational confidence
Yet we still face a need. At this moment, our greatest unmet requirement is for gift cards, not physical items, to fill backpacks with Dignity & Choice.
Why Gift Cards? Flexibility & Respect
Gift cards are more than convenience, they’re a way to honor families’ autonomy:
Choice & dignity: Families pick exactly what their child needs, whether it’s brand‑name folders or necessary clothing.
Reduced logistics: We avoid storage challenges, spoilage, or mismatches at the donation center.
Lower administrative costs: Every dollar goes directly into buying supplies, not managing inventory.
Faster impact: Parents get supplies quickly, without delay or barriers.
Your Impact: Back‑to‑School, Back‑to‑Hope
By giving gift cards, to Walmart, Target, Amazon, or school supply stores, your caring becomes real, right where it matters most:
Parents provide essential supplies for their child’s success.
Children feel prepared, accepted, and ready to learn with confidence.
Families save precious resources on school expenses they can’t leave behind.
Our case managers support and guide long-term stability and engagement.
Most importantly, parents get to say: “I took care of my child.” That’s trust. That’s dignity. And it’s the greatest gift of all.
How You Can Help Today
There are two easy ways to support:
Donate online via our secure page https://fpcobb.org/give
Choose an amount tied to gift cards; e.g. $25, $50, $100
Invite others: Introduce your friends, neighbors, faith partners, or book clubs to FPCC’s Back‑to‑School initiative, especially our need for gift cards.
Bright Futures Start with One Simple Gift
When you donate a gift card, you’re choosing dignity. Choosing flexibility. Choosing self-esteem. You’re telling a child in Cobb or Marietta: “You belong, you’re ready to learn, and I have your back.”
You’re also helping parents guide their own families, which is lasting support far beyond one school year.
A Call to Community Action
As Cobb County school bell systems ring on August 4, no child in our shelter should feel left behind. Starting strong means standing together, host congregations, volunteers, donors, and partners across Marietta, believing that every student can thrive.
Will you be part of that difference?
✅ Visit fpcobb.org/give and donate a Back‑to‑School gift card
✅ Share this blog across your social channels, help us reach hearts before August 4
✅ Encourage your congregations and networks to give dignity and choice
FAQs
Q: Can I donate physical school supplies instead? A: Not at this time.We are only equipped to distribute gift cards to ensure dignity, timely use, and reduced overhead.
Q: My business wants to participate—what’s next?
A: Donating gift cards works, or you can host a matching gift drive, Share our social posts, or offer volunteer support
Q: When is school starting? A: Monday, August 4, please give early so families have time to prepare.
Starting Strong begins with belief. Belief that every child deserves to walk into school suite‑ready, backpack‑filled, and brimming with the promise of a bright year ahead.
Your gift card doesn’t just buy supplies, it builds confidence, ensures dignity, and demonstrates a simple message: “You are seen. You belong. You matter.”
Let's send Cobb/Marietta students, our neighbor‑kids, back to school with pride.
Thank you for being part of the FPCC family.
