About Us
Fellow, Kayla Allgire, and President & Co-Founder, Sarai Exil pictured in our Woodward Park Middle School Store.
Student Success Stores (SSS) exists to meet the basic needs of students in grades 6-12 from economically disadvantaged communities and to remove barriers to learning that can be created when life necessities are unavailable. Our work is designed with a deliberate focus on providing a foundation for the students we serve that leads to successful outcomes in life. We partner with school counselors, administrators, teachers, and non-profits to open our stores in schools serving students living in poverty. Our stores are filled with no-cost hygiene products, easy-to-eat food items, snacks and mobile meals, school-code clothing, and school supplies. Schools provide the space to house the store and identify school personnel to shop with students. SSS supplies products and volunteers, as well as creating a space where students can “shop” with dignity and privacy.
Our History
Co-Founders, Nicole Hebert-Ford and Jason Phillips at the United Way Pitch to Ditch Poverty Event.
In 2015, The United Way of Central Ohio asked the community for innovative ideas to reduce poverty. Two AmeriCorps Alumni, Nicole Hebert-Ford and Jason Phillips, submitted a proposal that we now call, Student Success Stores. Out of four finalists that would pitch their idea at the United Way of Central Ohio’s Pitch to Ditch Poverty event, Student Success Stores received the most support from event attendees, won the pitch, and fundraised $7,500.
Display at United Way’s LINC Spring Fundraiser in 2016.
Our founding board was led by Nicole and Jason, and made up of six other idealists: Sarai Veronique Exil, April Homolak, Kayleigh Gallagher, Kelly Moore, Meredith Priess, and Wes Taylor. Together, they opened our first stores at Champion Middle School, Columbus Global Academy, and Mifflin Middle School in the 2016-2017 school year.
In 2020, for our 5th Anniversary, Sarai Exil and Wes Taylor were named co-founders alongside Nicole and Jason.
Our Mission
Helping students succeed in school by providing a free, anonymous place to shop for items that meet their basic needs.
Our Vision
Our dream is for every child to start the school day healthy, confident, and ready to learn. Our vision is simple. We want to be in every school that needs us.