With over 29,000 homeless students attending schools in Arizona, Pappas Kids believes it is necessary to provide educational assistance that would increase their overall graduation rate. Homeless students are 40% more likely to not finish their secondary education and on average high school dropouts barely make enough to adequately support themselves, let alone a family. With the overall poverty rates increasing yearly, decreasing rates of school dropouts would help contribute to the solution of this problem.
Our Programs Serve
We support two very unique programs, but both programs help make a difference in the lives of disadvantaged youths in Arizona.
We will provide program assistance to Title I or Title I eligible schools in Arizona that qualify as exempt from tax under section 501(c)3 of the IRS Code. This support is available to school classroom projects, teachers, books fairs, supplies, equipment, and special programs. We also support family services including food, clothing, hygiene and medical needs.
As a School Tuition Organization, we provide scholarships to children from economically disadvantaged families in Arizona. These scholarships enable students to attend a private primary or secondary school of their choice. (To date we have provided over 1700 scholarships to children through this program.)
About Us
The Pappas Kids Schoolhouse Foundation was formed in 2005 under its original name, Maricopa County Schoolhouse Foundation. We are a 501(c)3 non-profit organization established to assist with the educational needs of low-income, homeless and at-risk youth in Arizona and their families. In 2005, the Thomas J. Pappas Schools for Children of Homeless Families were the recipients of foundation grants and personal donations. These gifts were used to support the many needs of the students enrolled in the Pappas Schools.
In June 2008, the Pappas Schools closed. There was still a tremendous need for our services and our commitment to the children remained strong, so we decided to keep the foundation open. We broadened our scope to serve more children in Arizona who, like our former Pappas students, were in need of our help. Many schools today serve homeless and underprivileged youth. We are proud to work with Title I and Title I eligible schools to provide every student with an opportunity for a positive, safe and quality educational opportunity. We believe education is the way for these students to break the cycle of poverty and homelessness. The Pappas Kids schoolhouse Foundation is proud to be a part of the solution.
We are extremely grateful to all of our donors who give so graciously for these children. We realize the economy has affected many, so we value each of you and your generosity.