In Their Own Words: Shoestring Parent Lucille Buck

Over the course of a year, Operation Shoestring works with scores of kids, parents, and families within our community. Curious what Shoestring parents think about our programs? Longtime participant Lucille Buck recently sat down with us for an interview about how our wide variety of supports and classes empower her every day.

“I love Operation Shoestring,” says Buck.  “It gives me the opportunity to have somewhere to drop off my child, and it helps me a whole lot because I don’t have to pay for childcare.”

Afterschool programs like Project Rise are lifelines for parents and families in our community for that very reason. Without afterschool programs like Project Rise, many people in our city wouldn’t be able to work. For example, Buck shared that she was “a single grandmother” who lives “from check to check.” With afterschool programs, parents like her can pursue meaningful, fulfilling, and empowered lives and provide for their families while doing so. 

“These programs help me a whole lot,” reflected Buck after we discussed the ways a lack of childcare can complicate a person’s life. She went on to say that “if Operation Shoestring wasn’t able to provide afterschool programs, I don’t know what I would do. I’d have to find someone, pick up my grandkid from the school, and then try to pay this person—if I can. I would go crazy. I just don’t know what I could even do then. Operation Shoestring helps me so much.”

Part of Operation Shoestring’s work is empowering the whole family through parent engagement initiatives. These programs help parents and guardians develop tools and resources to best support their children and their families along their path to success. This includes workshops focused on parenting, education, stress management, health and wellness, basic finance, advocacy, and more. Buck counts herself among the most fervent fans of Shoestring parent initiatives.

“They also do a lot of things for the parents. I love the cooking classes and the exercise groups. I try to participate whenever I can in the parent classes. They really help you in any way you need,” says Buck. “I tell everyone about Operation Shoestring,” she continued.  “It’s a darn good program. If you need help, go and talk to them and they will try to help you. I’m always bragging about Operation Shoestring!”

To learn more about how you can partner with parents like Lucille Buck, go to operationshoestring.org/support. By investing in families like hers, we’re investing in all of the families who live in Jackson. We all rise together.