This summer, the YMCA of Greenwich’s Running Start program gave 125 local children more than just clothes and school supplies to start the school year—it gave them confidence, choice, and the knowledge that caring adults in their community are rooting for them.
Now in its fourth year, Running Start has grown steadily from 35 participants in 2022 to 75 in 2023, 100 in 2024, and 125 in 2025, reflecting the program’s expanding reach and the generosity of YMCA donors and the community. Each child received a $150 gift card to Kohl’s, a backpack filled with school supplies from Neighbor to Neighbor, and a commemorative t-shirt.
What makes Running Start special is more than what is in the backpack or in the shopping bags. Children are paired with trained, background-checked volunteers who guide them on their shopping trip. On the big night, students and volunteers meet at a kickoff pizza party at the YMCA, giving kids and their families a chance to get to know the adults supporting them. This one-on-one interaction shows children that there are safe, caring adults cheering them on, helping them feel confident and empowered as they make their own choices.
“This is my daughter’s fourth year attending the Running Start back-to-school shopping event at Kohl’s. Each year, this program provides clothing, shoes, a backpack filled with school supplies, and even a pizza dinner before shopping. Thank you to the YMCA of Greenwich, the other organizations and sponsors, and all of the wonderful volunteers who make this possible. As the saying goes, ‘it takes a village,’ and I’m proud to be part of this community,” said one parent of a participant in the program, reflecting the program’s impact on her family.
For volunteers, the experience is just as meaningful: “I have volunteered for the program for three years. Each year, I cannot wait until the next year rolls around. I look forward to seeing the smiles of joy and pride on the young shoppers’ faces as they show their peers and parents what they have purchased,” said Demetria Nelson, volunteer for Running Start and Commissioner for the Department of Human Services in Greenwich. “This program gives children the opportunity to exercise independent decision making while securing needed items. I am honored to volunteer with this unique and impactful YMCA of Greenwich program.”
This year’s 125 participants ranged from Kindergarten through fifth grade and included children receiving YMCA of Greenwich program scholarships, students from Greenwich Public Schools, and those referred by the Greenwich Department of Human Services, Neighbor to Neighbor, Jewish Family Services of Greenwich, and Horizons at Brunswick School. Greenwich Public Schools’ new bus company, DATTCO, generously donated buses free of charge for all five nights, ensuring students and volunteers had reliable transportation to and from Kohl’s.
“Greenwich Public Schools is grateful for the Running Start program, as it makes such a difference in the lives of our students to have new back to school clothes. It gives the children that sense of pride we all remember from our first days of school”, said Dr. Toni Jones, Superintendent of Greenwich Public Schools. “A special thanks to the YMCA and Matthew Skaarup who had this brilliant idea, and also a special thanks to Dattco Transportation who provided the buses free of charge.”
Support for Running Start continues through donations to the YMCA’s Back-to-School Campaign, which also funds scholarships for their after school enrichment program and Early Learning Center. Community members are invited to contribute to ensure this transformative program can continue to make a difference in the lives of local children.
“Running Start is one of many meaningful programs we do at the YMCA of Greenwich,” said Matthew Skaarup, CEO of the YMCA of Greenwich. “It is about so much more than new shoes or a backpack. It is about giving kids the confidence to walk into the first day of school feeling seen, supported, and excited to learn. As a volunteer myself, I have seen firsthand the smiles, the pride, and the connections these kids make with caring adults in our community. That is what makes this program so special: it reminds every child that they are not alone, and that their community is rooting for them to succeed.”
For more information or to get involved, visit www.greenwichymca.org/back-to-school
