Oversea Community Affairs Council, Taiwan
Leadership Riverside Class of 2017
Class Project Description
5/31/17
Imagine your life without shoes. Now imagine yourself as a kid without shoes, or with shoes that don’t fit or can’t be worn for gym class. There are hundreds of students in Riverside’s schools for whom this is not a thought experiment but a daily reality. They lack the immediate grounding that shoes provide to each of us, and just at the time in their lives when they need the most support.
The Leadership Riverside Class of 2017 seeks to change that reality in Riverside. Through the incredible generosity of the Inland Chinese Association and in partnership with the Riverside and Alvord Unified School Districts, we are excited to announce the “Just For Kicks” initiative to make shoes available to every Riverside student who needs them.
The Inland Chinese Association's charitable foundation has committed to provide at least 500 pairs of shoes for the 2017-18 school year, and hopes to grow the program over the next three years to distribute more than 7,000 pairs of shoes! School District Superintendents David Hansen and Sid Salazar, both members of the Class of 2017, have identified schools in their districts with existing shoe distribution programs that can immediately accept and distribute these shoes to students in need. The class will work with the Association, the school districts, other potential partners (e.g., PTAs, business associations, neighborhood groups, local non-profits, and local shoe retailers) to reach every school in Riverside over the next three years. The Association has also expressed interest in expanding the program to address the food and health needs of students, their families, and the broader community.
A provisional Just For Kicks logo, seen here, has been created by Sheena Fierro (wife of Class of 2017 member Ronaldo Fierra), and we plan on creating a promotional video in partnership with our school partners. A media event will be held this summer to recognize the Inland Chinese Association for financially sponsoring the program. The first fundraiser for this endeavor has been scheduled for July, also sponsored by the Inland Chinese Association.
Just For Kicks is grounded in the ability of our future leaders to stand firm, walk solidly forward, and climb the ladder of progress and innovation. In order to do this, to allow their minds to expand to their fullest potential, they must have a firm foundation on which to stand, run, and play. The future of our city depends on shoes, and we seek to provide for that future. Please join us as we kick off Just For Kicks!
The Leadership Riverside Class of 2017 wishes to thank the Inland Chinese Association for their amazing generosity and philanthropic support for children and health in the Inland Valley region.