Healthy Students Make Better Learners: Meet the Young People Donating Personal Care Items for Back-to-School

Black and Latinx Americans are twice as likely to contract COVID-19 as white Americans, and are twice as likely to report job loss due to the pandemic. This makes it especially difficult to afford crucial products for health this back-to-school season.

The color of your skin or your family’s income shouldn’t determine your well-being, and healthy students are better learners. That’s why DoSomething members are collecting personal care and cleaning items to help students stay healthy and perform their best in school this fall through DoSomething’s Healthier Us campaign, powered by CVS Pharmacy.

Here are some young people making a difference in their communities -- one bag of donations at a time!

1) Leia, 18

“I learned that hygiene plays a role in academic performance. If these children from low-income households cannot get their hands on these products necessary to live a healthy lifestyle, their learning will be limited. This campaign gave me the opportunity to give these kids a fresh start to the school year with some hygienic products.”

2) Julissa, 19

“I live in a small town called La Villa, Texas and the community is mostly Latino with low income families. COVID has struck our little town. This is important to me because I can help a fellow student from my community stay safe and healthy.”

3) Alyssa, 17

“Over the years, I have volunteered at Boys and Girls Club, and I see how impactful it is to provide supplies to kids with necessities that others might have easier access to. I’m a strong believer that a small act of kindness can go a very long way, especially towards others in these tough times.”

4) Anthony, 17

“My family has struggled most of my life, living paycheck to paycheck and these experiences have helped teach me the importance of helping others, as at one point in my life I too needed that same help. So i think it's very important to give back to those struggling, to hopefully create a better world (especially in these hard times).”

5) Alejandro, 21

"This campaign is very important to me not only because I'm a healthcare worker but because I tested positive for COVID-19 and know how it feels to be sick and in quarantine. Thankfully I had family that could drop off essential things like food and personal care items. Unfortunately there's people out there that don't have that family support or can't afford it...Therefore it is time for those who have not been affected greatly by Covid-19 to step up and help those who are less fortunate.”

6) Cayla, 17

“As a person of color who has been fortunate enough to receive a good education, I feel that it is important that I do whatever I can to help other BIPOC have the chance to receive a good education as well...It's necessary to have good hygiene so that you can perform in the classroom at your full capability.”

7) Edina, 24

“I have been feeling the urge to reach out to my community and perform acts of kindness especially during this rough time we all are facing. I was very excited for this project and I was even able to recruit family members to donate money. Together we were able to give our local shelter $200 worth of all kinds of goods!”

8) Zoe, 17

“I am lucky enough and blessed that my parents are able to supply me with many resources to keep me safe and healthy during the pandemic. I want others in my community to experience this luxury too. All kids deserve to start each morning fresh and clean.”

9) Michael, 17

“Poverty and homelessness is an issue that hits close to home. Having seen the issues firsthand with some family members, I know the struggles that people can go through. I had fun helping out these shelters, and it's good to know that these items will be given to people who need it.”

10) Kayla, 17

“This campaign is important to me because I am able to help people that need assistance that are experiencing hardships. I want to thank you for allowing me to recognize that people do need assistance, and now I have created a plan to contribute monthly to homeless shelters.”

11) Abigail, 26

“As an occupational therapy (OT) student, I know I have a unique responsibility to advocate for underserved children and their families facing an uncertain future during the current pandemic...This experience has inspired me to express gratitude for the moments and tangible items I often take for granted.”