By Shelly Miles of San Antonio Living
“Thanks to you my class has enough tissues to last us all winter,” the handwritten note said. “My favorite supply was the mini color pencils. Sincerely, Serenity.”
Imagine receiving a note like that from a very thankful elementary student. Danielle Gunter, Executive Director of the TEXAS YES Project, says helping students like Serenity is what the organization is all about.
“One of the very first years I was distributing supplies, a little girl tried to give them back to me and said she couldn’t accept this gift, that it was ‘too much’ and she didn’t feel right taking it. I explained to her that all students were receiving this box because her community wanted her to have the tools to be successful in the classroom. She was so excited, she asked if she could hug me.” Gunter went on to say that the hug almost broke her, but also helped her realize the need for an organization like the TEXAS YES Project.
“Most people don’t understand the impact a box of crayons can make on an elementary student when they have never had their own,” Gunter said.
Originally founded as SA YES to serve Title 1 elementary schools in San Antonio, TEXAS YES Project has since expanded to Austin, Corpus Christi, and the Dallas-Ft. Worth metro areas. With Gunter’s guidance, the TEXAS YES Project has grown from helping hundreds in San Antonio to helping thousands across the State. Gunter credits that growth to having amazing community partners.
“In August, we will serve more than 70,000 students in 143 elementary schools,” said Gunter, giving Texas students the supplies they need for success.
For more information on the TEXAS YES Project, visit TEXASYES.org
