As COVID-19 taught the world how important it is to keep good hygiene, the impact on an already vulnerable group, the homeless, went largely unnoticed. Enter Beyond A Goal, an NJ/NYC-based organization taking on the issue with full force through their signature backpack hygiene kits, which offer various hygiene products to recipients. The best part? It’s 100% student-led and operated.
Behind this was 14-year-old Andrew Lee, leader of the organization’s Fort Lee chapter. In an innovative first for the organization, a collaborative effort between the organization and the school was struck.
The response was overwhelming.
The 3-week fundraising drive at the Elisabeth Morrow School ended up being the biggest collection drive in the organization’s history. Among the supplies gathered were hundreds of toothbrushes, toothpaste, and masks, all of which will be of great help to those that need them.
Beyond A Goal Founder, Namhoon Lee expressed how impressed he was with the work done recently. “It’s unbelievable what these kids have managed to accomplish on their own, seeing the potential to do societal good at such a young age,” he said. “What’s especially impressive is their ability to carve their own paths and get things DONE. I never once asked them to do any of this; they just went ahead and got it done on their own!”
The organization started out as a 3-member team in 2018, but as of April 2022, it includes over 20 members who have collectively distributed over 140 backpacks to either the homeless directly or to homeless shelters. The Hoboken Homeless Shelter, located in Hoboken, NJ, is one example of a recent shelter that B.A.G has worked with. The surrounding community in Hoboken has up to 1,000 homeless men, women, and children on the streets. B.A.G was able to hand out over 50 backpacks at the shelter.
As Beyond a Goal enters its second year in real action, the organization is proud of the progress made during a difficult time. Yet there is so much more to do and so many more people to help.
