Back-to-School Event

LifeWise StL and Guardian Angel Settlement Association are committed to fostering education and preparing the community’s children for their academic pursuits. Each year, we co-host an expansive back-to-school event, aiming to bridge the gap between economic barriers and access to quality education.

Understanding the significance of education as a cornerstone for economic mobility, we distribute essential school supplies to the families we serve throughout the year. This includes new shoes, backpacks, and an assortment of other necessary school materials. The goal is to ensure that each child is equipped with the tools they need to thrive in their educational journey.

This annual event, made possible by the generosity of our donors, has significantly impacted our community. Each year, over 400 children are able to kickstart their academic year feeling prepared, confident, and excited about learning. This empowerment is more than just providing supplies; it’s about instilling a love for learning, fostering a positive outlook on education, and nurturing the potential of our young community members.

However, our commitment to fostering economic well-being extends beyond this event. It is an integral part of our holistic programming designed to empower families towards economic mobility. By offering a range of high-impact, relationship-based programs, we strive to address various facets of economic challenges. We aim to build resilience, self-sufficiency, and prosperity among the individuals and families we serve.

Are you driven by a passion for education and community service? We invite you to channel that enthusiasm into making a difference in children’s lives by volunteering at our annual back-to-school event. It will take place at Guardian Angel Settlement Association, located at 3300 Jefferson Avenue, St. Louis, MO 63118.

We’re seeking dedicated volunteers to help us ensure this event’s success. In the week leading up to the event, volunteers will assist in pre-packaging school supplies and setting up the venue. On the day of the event, we’ll need help supervising supply tables, guiding families in selecting backpacks, and assisting children as they pick out their new shoes and supplies. We’ll also need volunteers to help us inventory and pack up items the following Monday.

Join us for a day of fun, community spirit, and the joy of helping children start their school year on a positive note. Come be a part of our back-to-school event and help us turn education into a thrilling journey for every child!

Please Note: We kindly request that our volunteers adhere to these guidelines.

We’re using SignUp to organize our upcoming SignUps. Here’s how it works in 3 easy steps:

1) Click the link found in the button below.
2) Review the options listed and choose the spot(s) you like.
3) Sign up! It’s Easy – you will NOT need to register an account or keep a password on SignUp.

Note: SignUp does not share your email address with anyone. If you prefer not to use your email address, please contact us and we can sign you up manually.

We gratefully accept donations, which play a crucial role in the success of this program. Suggested items include:

• Backpacks and tennis shoes for comfortable and confident transportation to school
• 3-ring binders, composition notebooks, and journals for note-taking and organization
• Crayons, colored pencils, erasable pens, markers, and highlighters to bring color to their learning experience
• Compasses, protractors, rulers, and scientific calculators for mastering mathematical and scientific concepts
• Disinfectant wipes, hand sanitizer, and wet wipes to maintain hygiene and health in the school environment
• Facial tissues, glue sticks, scissors, pencil cases, and folders (with and without prongs) for day-to-day school activities

Your donations, large or small, contribute to a child’s educational journey and help set them up for a successful and fulfilling school year. Thank you for considering supporting our cause and making a difference in the lives of our community’s children.

Download our School Supply Suggested Donations List