Customers of Pasadena’s favorite bookstore – Vroman’s Books, in collaboration with the Pasadena Educational Foundation, donated approximately $5,000 worth of books to students experiencing housing insecurity or homelessness in the Families in Transition program of the Pasadena Unified School District (PUSD) this past week.
“We are very excited to have teamed up with Vroman’s Bookstore to bring books to kids experiencing housing insecurity or homelessness who are part of the Pasadena Unified School District’s Families in Transition program. Through books we learn new ideas and share in the experiences of others. Books are essential, particularly in times like these. Thank you to Vromans and its generous customers for making this partnership possible.” – Patrick Conyers, Pasadena Educational Foundation Executive Director
Over 160 FIT children from kindergarten up through high school received books handpicked by Vroman’s staff to match their reading levels and spark their imaginations. Some even received books signed by the authors themselves. Books ranged in subjects from science to baseball to fashion. FIT was also provided with a stockpile of books, of all age ranges that they could have on hand to give out to new kids and families in the future.
Books were delivered by PEF volunteers and staff along with PEF’s special At Home Edition summer learning resource kits and lessons.
Special thanks to all of the Vroman’s donors and to the PEF staff and volunteers who made this possible, including Felicia Williams – Pasadena City Councilmember, and PUSD father-son delivery team, Matt & Alex Neuenburg. Alex is a rising junior at Marshall High School.
“Vroman’s gives a full hearted thank you to our customers and the Pasadena community at large for helping us hit our goal and we thank the Pasadena Educational Foundation for taking this journey with us. It’s thrilling to see the bags full of books ready to go and to know that they are on their way to many very deserving kids.” – —Jennifer Ramos, Vroman’s Books
The Families in Transition (FIT) program ensures that all PUSD students experiencing housing insecurity or homelessness receive equitable access to a high-quality education and support services. Learn more about FIT here.
