Children’s Resources
No child should go without basic life essentials, love, care and support. Tap into the many available resources to fulfill children’s various needs. The resources here are a starting point, with countless more serving communities at local and national levels to set every child up for success in life.
✳︎
Books
✳︎
Bullying
✳︎
Tutoring
✳︎
School Supplies
✳︎
Birthdays
✳︎
Vision Care
✳︎
Mentorship
✳︎
After-School Programs
✳︎
Volunteer Opportunities
✳︎
Clothing
✳︎
Child Advocacy
✳︎
Child Care
✳︎ Books ✳︎ Bullying ✳︎ Tutoring ✳︎ School Supplies ✳︎ Birthdays ✳︎ Vision Care ✳︎ Mentorship ✳︎ After-School Programs ✳︎ Volunteer Opportunities ✳︎ Clothing ✳︎ Child Advocacy ✳︎ Child Care
Detect children’s vision problems early with regular screenings.
VSP doctors provide eye exams and prescription eyeglasses to eligible children and families through mobile clinics traveling the US
Visit the VSP calendar for upcoming mobile clinic events at elementary schools, middle schools, high schools, universities and more
Cost: free
Offers free digital vision screenings to children
Delivers instant screening results (Pass/Refer) so parents can follow up with an eye care professional if necessary
Contact a local Lions club for screening events or request a school/daycare set up screening events with a local Lions club
Cost: free
Birthday celebrations create joyful memories, build social bonds and foster children’s self-esteem.
Delivers supply party bags with cake mix, frosting, balloons, and more for children in disadvantaged situations
Parents apply at least 10 days before their child’s birthday
Offers support regionally
Cost: free
Brings birthday joy to children experiencing homelessness
Offers support nationwide
Locate a community partnering with homeless shelters that celebrate children’s birthdays
Cost: free
Bullying, whether physical, emotional, social or online, has a negative impact on youth. Take action to stop childhood bullying.
Outlines a step-by-step plan for parents to stop bullying, including contacting the school board, social media website or law enforcement
Cost: free
Offers Parent Playbooks for risk factors, strategies, actions plans and more in support of children who are bullied
Offers Educator and Coach Toolkits addressing cyberbullying, mental wellness, bullying prevention and more
Cost: free
Rich educational resources available to children both online and in-person.
Offers high-quality online courses for pre-K through high school and college
Learn math, social studies, economics, computing, science, test prep, English, life skills and more
Cost: free
Offers tailored instruction in math, reading and more, addressing specific challenges
Cost: free
Public libraries
Receive live, on-demand homework help and more through Brainfuse Help Now for K-12 students
Access Khan Academy and other online learning programs
Learn from volunteer tutors (available at some branches)
Cost: free
Dependable childcare allows parents to work full-time or attend school to better provide for their families.
Explore resources to help pay for childcare
Use childcare financial assistance options, like vouchers, subsidies, certificates
Enroll in public prekindergarten for low or no-cost (available in some states)
Use childcare scholarships from local nonprofits
Obtain fee assistance from individual child care providers
Apply military discounts from civilian child care providers
Receive learning and development support services benefiting children
Find a local Head Start program
Cost: free
Employers
Use on-site childcare for employees at select companies
Apply employee discounts to participating child care programs
Colleges and Universities
Access on-campus childcare at select universities
Use childcare discounts for students, employees and faculty
National and regional nonprofits provide families with children’s clothing essentials.
Provides essential baby and toddler items, including clothes, books and toys
Offers parenting support
Connects parents to community resources
Cost: free
Provides clothing, footwear, jackets, diapers, hygiene kits and more
Serves Boston, Chicago, Philadelphia, USA
Contact service partners to receive essential items
Cost: free
Provides clothing to children and teens
Serves select counties in Ohio, USA
Cost: free
Teacher and student success relies on access to school supplies.
Distributes school supplies to under-resourced schools nationally.
Teachers shop for school supplies at no cost to them or their schools
Visit the National Network of Resource Centers to find a nearby center
Teachers visit Supply a Teacher to apply to receive free school supplies
Cost: free
School Districts
Local schools equip struggling families with school supplies
Reach out to a school administrator or teacher for assistance
Cost: free
Safe after-school environments foster children’s emotional growth and sense of belonging.
Offers after-school activities in martial arts, dance, music, writing, homework help and more
Cost: free or low-cost
Offers after-school programs in theater, STEM education, leadership development and more
Find a local United Way
Cost: free or low-cost
Children of all ages make a difference every day. Giving back builds empathy and instills a sense of accomplishment.
Connects kids with ways to get involved with the community
Discover volunteer opportunities at animal sanctuaries, food banks and more
Builds communities through volunteer opportunities for those ages 5 and up
Access to quality books inspires children’s love of reading.
Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library
Mails high-quality books to children from birth to age 5, regardless of family income
Available in five countries, including USA and Canada
Cost: free
Watch celebrated actors read illustrated children’s books aloud
Interactive videos available 24/7
Cost: free
Find books in neighborhood book-sharing boxes
Bring a book to share or take a book to read
Cost: free
Stop child abuse resources are vital for parents, teachers, doctors and other caregivers.
National Children’s Alliance (NCA)
Watch educational videos helping to identify and prevent child abuse
Download parent fact sheets and social media graphics
Find an NCA Children’s Advocacy Center (CAC) for safety concerns, guidance on safety measures, making a child abuse report and more
Cost: free
National Children’s Advocacy Center (NCAC)
Offers parenting classes, family support services and more
Family support services available in Alabama, USA
Cost: free
Mentors serve as positive role models, boosting children’s self-esteem and being a valuable source of emotional support.
Offers middle-school mentoring
Hosts small after-school groups to promote healthy socialization with peers
Provides family academic advocacy to help achieve goals
Currently serves NYC, USA, with plans to expand
Cost: free