Inside classroom 313 is a Detroit Math Teacher who adds the love she has for her students with a need, to equal an effort that gives kids the confidence to walk with pride.
"My kids just didn’t have shoes so I said I'm going to get you guys some gym shoes so I held a fundraiser it was successful I was able to get all the 6th graders in my classroom gym shoes plus all 6th graders in that building" says CheKeita Jones.
The 34-year old Detroit Arts and Sciences teacher took that 2011 experience and ran with it.
She created "Kicks 4 Kids Foundation" a non profit that has grown from helping just 60 kids the 1st year to providing 400 kids with sneakers this year.
She created "Kicks 4 Kids Foundation" a non profit that has grown from helping just 60 kids the 1st year to providing 400 kids with sneakers this year.
"It's so amazing when you give the kids shoes Ms. Jones I can run faster I can jump faster just the self confidence and in America it’s not proper to not have footwear."
Jones has been recognized by big companies.
Under Armour donated shoes for her "Sneakers for Scholars" give away at Puffer Reds in Ypsilanti. Elite Mr. Alan’s Detroit gave 42 kids 2 pairs of sneakers over the summer.
Jansport and Herschel have donated school supplies but CheKeita’s latest partnership is perhaps one of her most precious.
13-year-old Jacob Coburn of Bloomfield Hills stepped up and started a Crowd Rise page that has already raked in more than $10,000 dollars that will buy shoes for the boys at Methodist Home for Children in Redford.
His Mom Kari contacted CheKeita through her Face Book page and since then they have made the perfect pair.
Jacob told us in an interview at his kitchen table "I'm hoping they feel self confidence, because for me I know shoes can give kids self confidence."
If you would like to support Jacobs effort you can donate at Jacobskicks.com or go directly to kicks4kidsfoundation.org.
