Colette White,left,&Kay Wasden purchasing shoes for HISD students

Local mom Kay Wasden was looking to donate the college test prep books her children no longer needed.But she quickly found out that Houston students’needs are much more basic.

When Winter Storm Uri arrived in 2021,Wasden said,she received an unexpected text from a Houston ISD “wraparound specialist” asking for food and grocery store gift cards.

“Our families are in trouble,” the text said.

“I was taken aback,but I said,‘Yes,’ ” Wasden said.“We worked with them the remainder of the school year,collecting and donating clothing,food,books,and other needed items.” 

The same year,Wasden started a group working with schools in the Westbury,Sharpstown,Wisdom,and Madison feeder areas. 

“We spent two years working to expand to the central,east,and north areas of HISD.By May of 2024,we were working with 180 schools,” she said.

The nonprofit founded by Wasden is called COR Houston.On itswebsite,the organization says:“We provide essential supplies and resources to HISD Title I schools so students can focus on learning.”

Recently,the Southwest Management District awarded a $1,000 grant to COR Houston. 

Southwest District Executive Director Natali Hurtado says the grant reflects the District’s mission to foster a safe,welcoming atmosphere that supports long-term success for all who live and work here.

For this coming year,Wasden said,HISD has cut the Wraparound Department entirely,and COR Houston will target the 180+schools where 90 percent or more of the students qualify for free or reduced lunch.All of the schools in the Southwest Management District fall into that category,she said.

“The grant money will be used to purchase supplies for HISD schools in the Southwest Management District,” Wasden said.

“We can purchase a brand-new pair of tennis shoes for $15 or less,a hygiene kit containing soap,toothpaste&toothbrush,deodorant,shampoo,and conditioner,and feminine hygiene products for less than $9,a food pack of pantry staples for $13,and a uniform shirt and pants for $15.This grant will allow us to have these items ready for the beginning of the school year.”

Since receiving nonprofit status in the summer of 2022,Wasden said COR Houston has distributed more than 302,000 basic needs items to HISD schools for their students.Food,school uniform shirts and pants,underwear,shoes and socks,winter coats and hygiene supplies remain their most-requested items. 

“We have also distributed beds and bedding,lice kits,cleaning supplies,alarm clocks for elementary students who have to get themselves up and to school by themselves in the morning,and even a glucose monitoring kit for a diabetic elementary student who was having to share one with his mother,” Wasden said.

“Houston is a city of great poverty,but also great affluence.We have the resources to support those who don’t have what they need to do well in school,” she said.

Want to help?Cash donations are always appreciated,as they give COR Houston the flexibility to purchase high-need items to have in stock.The nonprofit also welcomes in-kind donations such as backpacks,deodorant,toothpaste,toothbrushes,and soap from individuals or donation drives. 

“We also love to have volunteers come to our facility and pack hygiene or food packs or help count and sort donations,” Wasden said.

To get more info or to get involved,e-mail [email protected]or call(713)806-4188.Monetary donations can be made athttps://corhouston.org/get-involved/donate-funds/.

— Dorothy Puch Lillig