A Stairway to Hope

By Mesha Burns

Bronx Journal Staff

In the spacious cafeteria at the Richard Green campus in the Williamsbridge section of the Bronx, there are ripples of music, contagious laughter and conversation. At a back-to-school event, children lined up to receive free school supplies, manicures, hair cuts and hair styles.

Shawn Headley, a 34-year-old single mother of three who is also the founder of the non-profit Stairway To Hope, explained the purpose of the organization’s Back to School Drive event.

“My biggest concern for children in this community is the lack of resources,” Headley said. “Not having enough.  As a school safety agent, I see children come in all the time without the proper coats, clothing and supplies.”

Headley said she is thrilled to see children get what they need.

“It’s rewarding to see the smiles on the faces of these children when they’re given the tools to succeed,” she said. “Stairway to Hope is dedicated to that, to family and to community service.”