A long-time guidance counsellor and educator is the new executive director of The Sneaker Project.
Her connections with schools and other nonprofits made Theresa McClellan a shoe-in for the position.
The project, formerly the Dental, Eye and Shoe Program, provides shoes for children who qualify for federal free or reduced-price lunch programs. It serves Cole, Miller, Moniteau and Osage counties. More information about The Sneaker Project is available at thesneakerproject.org.
Back in the day, McClellan said, when she was a guidance counselor, she connected Dental, Eye and Shoe with students in need.
Then, with the development of the Central Missouri Community Health Center, the health aspects of nonprofit moved to the center.
And, in recent years, the nonprofit set its focus on getting shoes on the feet of needy children.
"So, we can hone in on sneakers. Now we have a really cool name and logo," McClellan said.
The nonprofit provides shoes for students in schools throughout its four-county region. The United Way has connected The Sneaker Project with other United Way partner agencies (those that receive funding annually from the United Way) and other nonprofits, McClellan said.
The Sneaker Project's third annual Haunted Hustle is to take place 9 a.m. Oct. 30. Registration is 8 a.m., and start for the family-friendly fun 5k is 9 a.m. at the North Jefferson City Pavilion, 927 Fourth St. Preregister on the nonprofit's website by Oct. 11 to assure receipt of a long-sleeve t-shirt. All participants are to receive "goodie bags." Tickets are $15 to $25.
It reaches clients through Boys & Girls Clubs, Special Learning Center, Little Explorers Discovery Center and now through El Puente, a Hispanic ministry in Jefferson City.
The more eyes observers get on children's needs - especially since the COVID-19 pandemic began - the better the chances are of identifying problems early, she said.
McClellan remains committed to volunteering for other nonprofits. On Thursday night, she provided a meal for residents of the HALO (Helping Art Liberate Orphans) Girls' Home in Jefferson City. HALO supports homeless and at-risk children, and has branches in Jefferson City, Kansas City, New York City and Portland, Oregon. It has a global reach.
Evening meals that HALO residents are required to attend occur once a week. Following the dinner, McClellan provided life-skills lessons for the girls.
Lessons McClellan has offered have included showing the girls how to make attractive centerpieces from a garden, or how to make a meal look special "on the skinny."
Thursday night, McClellan worked with residents on writing.
"My heart's big enough for HALO and The Sneaker Project, both," she said.
The new position fits her schedule, McClellan said. It requires only about 10 hours a week. One week may require all 10 hours or up to 30, but there will be weeks when the position requires zero, she said.
"I can work day or night. I travel a lot because my kids and grandkids are out of state," McClellan said. "I can do this from wherever I am."
The pacing suits her, she said.
And business is good.
In calendar year 2020, the nonprofit provided 615 pairs of shoes to students.
"This year, we're at 548, and we've got October, November and December coming," she said. "So, our beginning-of-school-year shoes are going to be wearing out. Kids are growing."