It may feel like summer just began, but at Utah Refugee Connection we are already preparing for the start of another school year.
In just a few weeks, thousands of refugee children across Utah will walk through school doors filled with hope, excitement, and perhaps a little nervousness. While many families look forward to back-to-school shopping, refugee families who are working hard to build a new life in our community often face difficult choices as they stretch limited budgets to meet basic needs.
For more than a decade, Utah Refugee Connection and our community partners have helped nearly 5,000 refugee students each year start school with the supplies and support they need to succeed. We believe every child deserves to begin the school year feeling prepared, confident, and ready to learn.
Watch our video from last year’s Back-to-School Drive to see the incredible impact our community made together and the difference your support can make for refugee students this year. https://www.youtube.com/shorts/VIk34tTewNw
How This Year’s Drive Is Different
Because of the suspension of new refugee arrivals, we are not collecting backpacks this year. However, thousands of refugee children already living in Utah still need support as they prepare for the upcoming school year.
This year, we are focusing on items that families consistently struggle to afford and that schools identify as essential for student success.
We are Collecting:
Back-to-School Hygiene Kits
New underwear and socks for children and teens ages 5–18
School supply sponsorships — just $15 provides essential school supplies for one student
https://givebutter.com/schoolsupplyrefugee
Support for providing a new age-appropriate reading book for every student
Through trusted partnerships and bulk purchasing opportunities, we are able to maximize every donation and provide high-quality supplies at a fraction of retail cost.
Why It Matters
Starting school with the basics impacts far more than academic performance. It affects a child’s confidence, sense of belonging, and ability to participate fully in the classroom experience.
When students have the supplies they need, they can focus on learning, building friendships, and pursuing their goals instead of worrying about what they may be missing.
We are especially excited to provide a new book for every student. Research consistently shows that access to books at home is one of the strongest predictors of academic success. Yet for many refugee families, building a home library is difficult when household budgets are already stretched thin. A new book not only supports literacy and learning—it helps children discover the joy of reading and opens the door to new possibilities.
A new pair of socks, a hygiene kit, school supplies, or a book may seem like a small gift. To a child, however, it can mean showing up on the first day of school feeling prepared, included, and valued
How You Can Help
We need donations of hygiene kits, new underwear and socks, and support for books and school supplies by August 2 so that supplies can be prepared and distributed before students return to school.
Drop Off Donations
Donated items can be brought to the Utah Refugee Connection Sharehouse on Mondays and Wednesdays between 10:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m.
Ambassador Locations
Drop off donations at a location closer to you during daylight hours.
Sponsor School Supplies
Just $15 provides school supplies for one refugee student.
Donate today:
https://givebutter.com/schoolsupplyrefugee
Organize a Family or Community Service Project
Looking for a meaningful way to serve with your family, neighborhood, faith community, workplace, or civic group?
Download this flyer of all the items we are collecting
https://canva.link/lp3i2nrf2ztlag6
A Community Effort
Every year, our community comes together to help refugee children begin the school year with dignity, confidence, and hope. Whether you donate a hygiene kit, purchase socks and underwear, sponsor school supplies, or provide a new book, your contribution makes a direct and lasting difference in a child’s life.
Together, we can help thousands of refugee students start the school year prepared, excited, and ready to learn. More importantly, we can help them know they belong here—that their community believes in them and is cheering them on every step of the way.
Thank you for helping refugee families feel welcomed, supported, and connected as they begin another school year.
