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SCHOOL'S COOL
School’s Cool provides backpacks, school supplies and uniforms to children participating in the education programs at the Banyan Community in the East Phillips neighborhood of south Minneapolis. In 1999, Alison Johnson, a St. Bart’s parishioner, recognized that these basic needs had to be met for the Banyan’s children to succeed. Over the years, St. Bart’s parishioners have continued to organize this effort, sponsor children, and donate items and money to support School’s Cool. St. Bart’s provides the tools, and Banyan provides the educational and community support. The success rate of the children participating in the Banyan programs is 100 percent! Be a part of it!
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School's Cool Stories
Elementary: A grandmother helping to raise her seven- year-old grandson Eric is so appreciative of the backpack and school supplies that their family receives from the School’s Cool program at Banyan. “That backpack goes everywhere with him! I sure am glad he has one!” Eric not only benefits from a backpack from the School’s Cool program but also being connected to the Banyan after school program. “Banyan brings benefits…and I am very thankful!”
Middle School: Angie is in eighth grade at Risen Christ School. She and her family have been involved with the Banyan for several years now and have come to think of Banyan as their family. When Angie’s family first found the Banyan several years ago, her mother had just been diagnosed with cancer. She was undergoing medical treatments, and all of their money was being used for rent, food and medical expenses. Angela’s parents wanted to send their children to a Catholic school but were afraid they could not afford the extra expenses. Banyan’s School’s Cool program provided them with uniforms, backpacks and school supplies so that they could send their children to Risen Christ.
High School: Juan is a senior at DeLaSalle High School and in the Banyan high school program as well. He is the second oldest of five children, and his parents both work hard to make ends meet. Three of Juan’s younger siblings are in Catholic school now, too, and school supplies and uniforms are expensive. His family is thankful for School’s Cool at Banyan because it provides the uniforms, school supplies and backpacks that their children need. “We are fortunate because we are a part of Banyan. They help make a good education possible for our children.”