USN partners with MNPS for winter coat drive
High School students collected winter coats for Metro Nashville Public Schools to help keep our neighbors warm this winter.
By Sierra Smith, Communications Specialist
University School of Nashville’s High School Community Service Organization hosted a collection drive in late November in hopes of harnessing the K-12 community’s generosity.
With the call made for new and gently used winter coats for individuals ages five to 18 and collection boxes placed throughout campus, the group gathered 148 coats along with several pairs of gloves, earmuffs, and winter hats to deliver to USN Parent Catherine Knowles, who runs Metro Nashville Public Schools' Homeless Education Resource Office, often referred to as the HERO program.
"Right now there is a growing housing problem in our city. As Nashville grows, only people who can afford it continue to grow with it, but those who can't are left behind. This is a critical issue that needs more attention. We hope the coat drive raised awareness, while also offering a little help to people right now," shared Ximena Martinez Segoviano '23, who helped organize the drive.
With the call made for new and gently used winter coats for individuals ages five to 18 and collection boxes placed throughout campus, the group gathered 148 coats along with several pairs of gloves, earmuffs, and winter hats to deliver to USN Parent Catherine Knowles, who runs Metro Nashville Public Schools' Homeless Education Resource Office, often referred to as the HERO program.
"Right now there is a growing housing problem in our city. As Nashville grows, only people who can afford it continue to grow with it, but those who can't are left behind. This is a critical issue that needs more attention. We hope the coat drive raised awareness, while also offering a little help to people right now," shared Ximena Martinez Segoviano '23, who helped organize the drive.
According to the MNPS website, the HERO program “works to provide necessary resources, supports, and referrals to help homeless children and youth to be successful in school and have a positive school experience.”
This support can look like providing school uniforms, supplies, and backpacks; offering transportation so students who move frequently can continue attending the same school; obtaining birth certificates, immunization records, and school records for families; and, sharing countless other resources.
A recent Nashville Scene article reports that the program has served more than 2,000 students during this academic year, and Knowles anticipates that number will continue to rise, surpassing 3,000 before classes end in May. In the past five years, the office has served 18,500 students and their families.
“The circumstances of our students and their needs are varied, but the majority of them need a good winter coat. We are so grateful for our partnership with USN and your donations help [almost 150] students face the winter season with the extra warmth they need,” Knowles said.
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Contact
Edgehill Campus
2000 Edgehill Ave.
Nashville, TN 37212
Phone: 615-321-8000
Fax: 615-321-0889
Email: info@usn.org
River Campus
1200 County Hospital Road
Nashville, TN 37218
2000 Edgehill Ave.
Nashville, TN 37212
Phone: 615-321-8000
Fax: 615-321-0889
Email: info@usn.org
River Campus
1200 County Hospital Road
Nashville, TN 37218
USN Mission:
University School of Nashville models the best educational practices. In an environment that represents the cultural and ethnic composition of Metropolitan Nashville, USN fosters each student’s intellectual, artistic, and athletic potential, valuing and inspiring integrity, creative expression, a love of learning, and the pursuit of excellence.
University School of Nashville models the best educational practices. In an environment that represents the cultural and ethnic composition of Metropolitan Nashville, USN fosters each student’s intellectual, artistic, and athletic potential, valuing and inspiring integrity, creative expression, a love of learning, and the pursuit of excellence.