MILWAUKEE (October 7, 2020) — Today, Milwaukee Public Schools (MPS) announced the donation of 4,000 backpacks, courtesy of Educators Credit Union and assembled and delivered by Beyond Vision. These backpacks, stuffed with school supplies from BestEd, have been donated for MPS students experiencing homelessness. Representatives from these partners joined the district for the announcement at the MPS Warehouse.
“Milwaukee Public Schools is grateful for the generosity of Educator’s Credit Union, Beyond Vision and BestEd,” MPS Superintendent Dr. Keith P. Posley said. “All of our young people are worthy and deserving of the tools needed for a quality education. We thank our partners and our staff who continue to support our students, including those in great need.”
Last school year, MPS’ Homeless Education Program (HEP) identified 5,008 students experiencing homelessness within the district. HEP works with community partners, like Educators Credit Union, BestEd and Beyond Vision, who offers a variety of career opportunities the blind and visually impaired, to provide these students with supplies and remove barriers that prevent full participation in school.
“BestEd has been working with MPS for over the last five years to supply backpacks full of necessary school supplies to students in need,” BestEd co-owner Beth Bauer said. “We feel that partnerships like this one with Educator’s Credit Union, MPS, Beyond Vision and BestEd make Milwaukee a good place to live and work, especially at this time.”
The donation from Educators Credit Union is worth $80,000, which includes the backpacks and supplies for students.
“Every student deserves a positive school experience, regardless of their situation,” Educators Credit Union’s CEO and president Linda Hoover said. “That’s why Educators believes it’s essential to support these students to ensure they have the supplies needed to get the same education as their peers.”
