DPS Foundation Joins Forces with Crayons2Calculators to Support Teachers
Crayons2Calculators annually serves more than 1,000 DPS teachers.
Durham Public Schools Foundation (DPSF) is starting 2025 with a new program, one which is set to benefit more than 1,000 Durham Public Schools (DPS) teachers each year. As of Jan. 1, DPSF has welcomed Durham nonprofit Crayons2Calculators (C2C) into the organization as an official program.
The two organizations are coming together to continue C2C’s work, providing teachers with a one-stop shop to access needed school supplies. Since spring of 2024, DPSF and C2C have partnered closely to ensure a smooth transition and uninterrupted service to teachers.
“We quickly saw that bringing Crayons2Calculators into our organization would deepen our collective impact across Durham,” said Erika Wilkins, DPSF executive director. “C2C, established in 2006 out of deep commitment to our public schools, offers a vital service that has earned a strong reputation and engages hundreds of volunteers each year. We're proud to provide a home for their work, ensuring teachers will continue to have access to C2C’s essential resources well into the future.”
Every year, DPS teachers spend an average of $263 of their own money on school supplies, with that amount being higher for early childhood educators. C2C addresses this by annually distributing more than $100,000 worth of supplies.
“As a DPS teacher, I appreciate having access to the support of the DPS Foundation and Crayons2Calculators,” said Amanda Bass, an ESL teacher at Burton Elementary School. “Since 2018, Crayons2Calculators has helped my students learn by providing crayons, pencils, notebooks and other essential supplies. And just last year, I received a grant from the Foundation for equipment to help ESL students practice speaking and reading skills. Having these organizations come together only makes sense and will benefit teachers even more by offering us a convenient, one-stop shop for needed school supplies, grants, and other resources.”
“Since 2018, Crayons2Calculators has helped my students learn by providing crayons, pencils, notebooks and other essential supplies. And just last year, I received a grant from the Foundation for equipment to help ESL students practice speaking and reading skills. Having these organizations come together only makes sense and will benefit teachers even more by offering us a convenient, one-stop shop for needed school supplies, grants, and other resources.” ”
The program will continue to be called Crayons2Calculators and operate out of DPS’ warehouse on Bacon Street. C2C’s employees and volunteers have been retained as DPSF employees and volunteers and will continue to run the program.
“Through a deep partnership with the DPS Foundation, we have witnessed our organizations’ shared commitment and values. We are so enthusiastic about continuing our work long into the future with DPSF,” said Eunice Sanders, C2C's former executive director who will continue to lead the work as program manager.
C2C continues to be a bridge between the Durham community and DPS. Earlier this month, local business Brame Specialty Company, Inc., donated more than 20 pallets of school supplies following the December closure of their Durham storefront, Not Just Paper.
“Closing Not Just Paper—our storefront in Durham since 1991—was a bittersweet moment for us,” said Mercer Stanfield, president of Brame. “As a homegrown company with 100 years of commitment to the Durham community, we were thrilled to be able to donate the remaining supplies to make a difference in DPS classrooms.”
The formal transfer of the C2C program was approved in December 2024. Both organizations’ board of directors voted unanimously on the decision.
“These two organizations harness the power of community on behalf of our public schools,” said Anthony Lewis, DPS superintendent. “We look forward to continuing our close partnership through this transition and into the future, towards our shared vision of a Durham where every child has what they need to thrive.”
The DPS Foundation welcomes Crayons2Calculators as a new program. Representing DPSF are (from left) Brianna Kennedy, chief of programs, Brittany Gregory, board chair, and Erika Wilkins, executive director. Representing C2C (now part of DPSF) are (from right) Euba McKoy, warehouse coordinator, Eunice Sanders, program manager, and Russ Haddad, board chair. Pictured, center, is Anthony Lewis, DPS superintendent.