Great Oaks Education Foundation

The Great Oaks Education Foundation helps students overcome obstacles to graduation, employment and continuing education. Addressing their immediate needs helps them to stay focused on their education and beyond. The Foundation provides food, clothing, transportation, financial assistance and much more. We make a difference in our students' lives, their future and our communities.  Your donation is tax deductible.

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In December, 2018, we had a student who had missed a lot of school to help care for and support his aunt/guardian who was ill.   By winter break, his aunt’s condition had declined and she was moved to a nursing home.  To make sure the student had food to eat over winter break, a portion of the holiday fund money was used.  

When he returned from break, he informed us that his aunt had passed and, for reasons outside of his control, he lost his home, car and job.  He needed basic necessities, such as food, boots, gloves and a winter coat.  The Foundation was able to supply all of these.   In addition, his instructor gave him one of his old cars and the Foundation was able to provide him with the  initial startup of insurance and fuel cost.  This provided him transportation to school and to the job his lab instructor helped him to secure, in his career field.  

A student, who was considered a tough man’s man who would rarely ask for help, confided in a teacher that he and his father were suffering financial hardships.  They were struggling to keep food in the house.  Foundation funds were used to purchase a Kroger gift card to help him obtain food for his family.  

 A year later, I was sitting in my office, when a very proud young man dressed in work boots and rough jeans, walked resolutely into my office.  He stood there, with tears in his eyes and said, “please tell whoever made this happen, thank you.”  Through this unexpected moment, I knew we had found another way to change lives.  

For most of the school year, one of our students who was having problems at home, lived with a friend and his family.  She worked after school and on weekends to save enough money to purchase a car in order to meet her job obligations.  She did all of this while maintaining straight As.  

 One day as she was leaving school to go to her job, her car would not start.  Great Oaks staff tried everything (tried jumping it, replaced fuses), but to no avail.  It turned out that she needed a new battery.  This expense was more than she could afford and she was devastated.  We used Foundation funds to purchase the battery.   A teacher arranged for delivery and installed it for her.  She made it to her job and saw how willing we were to take that extra step to support her success.  

One of our students was facing terrible hardships.  At the age of 16, her sole guardian died, and she was living in her car.    After many absences she confided in a teacher.  The Foundation was able to help her by supplying her with food, paying for her uniforms and fees for online makeup classes.  She earned her STNA certification, is working on additional credentials, and is employed.  In May, she will graduate!

One of our students with special needs was facing additional hurdles; poverty potential homelessness and family drug abuse.  She was facing all of these obstacles while transitioning into adulthood.  

 She resided in an area that had minimal public transportation and walked nearly everywhere.  One day we discovered that her only pair of shoes were filled with holes worn through her soles.  The Foundation was able to purchase her two new pairs of shoes and socks that day.  This was life changing to this young woman.  

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What would have happened to these individuals without the help of our staff and the Great Oaks Education Foundation?   What a difference was made in their lives to know that we cared enough to offer them a hand up.