Volunteers from the Newcomers Access Center delivered 274 pairs of new shoes and more than a thousand pairs of socks June 23 to the Pomona Fairplex where they will soon be distributed to migrant children living there while waiting to be reunited with relatives in the US. The delivery marked the halfway point in a $15,000 Go Fund Me campaign organized by NAC in partnership with Shoes That Fit.

“We are most grateful for our many generous donors who are making it possible for us to improve the lives of migrant children who have been through so much,” said Anne Thorward, NAC board member.  “New shoes make a huge difference in a child’s life. Every child deserves new shoes and more are still needed.”

About 500 unaccompanied children ages 5 to 17 are temporarily housed at the Fairplex, most of whom came from Central America with little beyond the clothes they wore after a harrowing journey fleeing countries suffering poverty, violence, civil war, and unrest. “As soon as we learned that the Fairplex would house these children, we wanted to help,” Thorward said. “Our board decided to buy them new shoes and socks.”  The cost of one pair of shoes and five pairs of socks is $30 per child. NAC is raising funds and partnering with Shoes That Fit, a Claremont-based nonprofit whose mission is to “give children in need new athletic shoes to attend school with dignity and joy, prepared to learn, play, and thrive.”

More shoes will be delivered as more funds are raised.  Anyone who would like to help with the shoe drive can donate through the NAC’s GoFundMe page. Supporters can also help by sharing the campaign link with friends.

“Migrant children now at the Fairplex face many challenges ahead as they learn a new language and attend new schools,” said Thorward. “Getting them new shoes and socks is one small way we can help make them more comfortable and confident.”

The Claremont Courier newspaper published an article on the new shoes being delivered and the ongoing campaign in its July 2, 2021, issue and the Daily Bulletin newspaper published an article as well.

Newcomers Access Center (NAC) is a local nonprofit founded in late 2016 by a group of community activists in Claremont, La Verne, Upland and Pomona. NAC’s mission is to find resources to help immigrants and refugees become independent in their new country. NAC has raised funds for rent supplements, baby items, grocery gift cards, driving lessons, college tuition, and new shoes for families. NAC offers workshops and events as well as referrals for employment, English classes, naturalization, translators, legal concerns and transportation. For more information, visit newcomersaccesscenter.o