The Jersey City Board of Education Grant Program (Cougar Paws) is collaborating with other departments at the hospital for a Sharing the Warmth Drive. We recognize the need to support the whole person, and know that basic needs must be met to support mental health.
A few weeks ago, it was discovered that inpatient units have had the unique challenge of discharging patient who are often homeless/displaced. Many are admitted with no shoes, and at times of discharge, hospitals look to donations they currently have (if any). There is a challenge with giving them their shoe size, and/or shoes that are comfortable. Recently a person was discharged, and only dress shoes were found for them in their size. It is heartbreaking to know that this person who was likely going to a shelter, if they could gain entry, would be walking about in uncomfortable dress shoes.
For our Drive at McNair, we are asking staff, who are able, to donate new or very gently used soft shoes, with no laces. These are simple pull on shoes with no laces. Our hope is to collect about 50, along with our downtown partner school, Ferris. If we receive more than we can store at the hospital, that would be amazing, and we are prepared to also support other community partners, like MASSH/PATH (a homeless services program) with overflow soft shoe donations.
All sizes (8-13) are needed, especially small sizes. Shoes for all genders are also needed. We have a donation bin in the Cougar Paws site (Rm. 215A), and will be accepting donations until Friday, November 22nd. We plan on taking items from all of our schools to the hospital on Monday November 25th.
Thank you for your consideration.