Back to School at Franklin Ave Shelter

This summer, 25 children called Franklin Ave Shelter home. When school let out in June, school lunches stopped too, leaving parents already juggling appointments, housing searches, work, and tight budgets with one more daily challenge.

Our staff saw the need and began packing sack lunches. It wasn't anyone's assignment; they simply stepped in. Soon, others joined the effort, including our overnight crew, who worked from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. and still made sure lunches were waiting in the fridge each morning.

As summer drew to a close, another need emerged: school supplies. Thanks to Desert Song Community Church in Redmond, children received backpacks, helping them walk into school feeling just like their classmates.

To celebrate the end of summer, staff hosted a back-to-school gathering with painting, handprints, and plenty of ice cream. On a large sheet titled “I dream of becoming…”, children shared their hopes for the future: a soldier, a fashion designer, a painter, and a doctor.

One little girl thought for a moment and said she wanted to “be strong.” We didn't change a word.

That moment captured something special about the summer at Franklin. Through daily lunches, sidewalk chalk, water balloons, and simple acts of kindness, the shelter began to feel less like temporary housing and more like a community.

For children experiencing instability, consistency matters. Familiar faces, dependable meals, and adults who follow through help create a sense of safety. Parents began connecting too, sharing housing tips, supporting one another with childcare, and building friendships.

These moments also encouraged our staff. When so many challenges take time to resolve, packing a lunch or helping a child paint offers something meaningful and immediate.

And the impact extends beyond the shelter. A child who feels more secure may find it easier to settle into school. A parent who has built friendships has someone to call when life gets difficult. Small acts of care can help families begin to imagine a different future.

To Desert Song Community Church, thank you for helping our children start school with confidence.

To our dedicated staff, thank you for showing up, day and night, and making summer brighter and steadier for these families.

To our Franklin community, thank you for the watermelon, chalk, and countless gestures of kindness. They mattered.

The handprint sheet still hangs in the hallway, reminding us that sometimes the biggest dreams begin with something as simple as wanting to “be strong.”‍

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CJ DeZort

Program Director, Cleveland Commons & Franklin Avenue Shelter

Shepherds House Ministries

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