Albuquerque Public Schools
Second Graders Partner with ACS to Support Unsheltered Individuals
Class effort supports unhoused community with hygiene kits.
A second-grade class at Helen Cordero Elementary School recently turned compassion into action by hosting a lemonade stand and raising $140 to purchase hygiene supplies for unhoused individuals in Albuquerque.
With help from their teacher and school librarian, the students recently organized the stand outside their school, where families and community members came together to support the effort.
The money was used to assemble hygiene kits that included water, undergarments, deodorant, wipes, socks, toothpaste, and toothbrushes. After completing the kits, the school contacted Albuquerque Community Safety to coordinate the pickup of hygiene kits so responders could distribute the supplies to individuals experiencing homelessness.
“We participated in National Lemonade Day on May 9th,” said librarian Jennifer Miller. “Each class got a chance to choose a cause to donate their money to and Ms. Samuelson’s class chose to support unhoused individuals in our community.”
“The project gave students an opportunity to learn the value of service and teamwork while making a meaningful impact,” said 2nd grade teacher Sharon Samuelson. “We’re so proud of them!”
ACS responders and staff recently visited the school to pick up the hygiene kits and personally thank the students for their compassion toward community members in need. Each student also received a challenge coin from ACS staff in recognition of their selflessness and commitment to helping others.
“We are incredibly grateful for these students,” said ACS Director Jodie Esquibel. “The compassion and empathy they have shown is truly inspiring. These hygiene kits will help our responders provide comfort, dignity, and basic necessities to community members in need. Sometimes the greatest reminders of how to care for one another come from our young people, and these students have set a wonderful example for all of us.”
The lemonade stand highlighted the power of young students to create positive change through compassion and community support.
About APS Community Schools
With almost 70 Community Schools across the district, APS and the ABC Community School Partnership are building a network of schools that serve as community hubs. By weaving together rigorous classroom instruction, expanded learning opportunities, integrated support systems, and the voices of families and students in decision-making, these schools create conditions where every child can learn, grow and thrive.
About Albuquerque Community Safety
Albuquerque Community Safety is the City of Albuquerque’s third branch of public safety. Responders take calls for service involving behavioral health, substance use, and other non-criminal and non-medical issues. Request an ACS Responder by calling 911 for emergencies and 311 for non-emergencies.