Some kiddos in the Auburn area were well prepared for the start of school this year, thanks to Pro Se Potential, Bowlero, and United Way of King County.

Pro Se Potential Back-to-School Bowling Bash at Bowlero South Seattle provided schoolchildren with much-needed school supplies and a chance to gather for friendly competition and entertainment before summer vacation ended.

The event drew about 80 people and helped Pro Se Potential founder De’Vonte’ Parson ease the financial burdens of many local parents at the start of the school year. Parson said the smiles and words of gratitude from schoolchildren and parents alike made the event worthwhile.

“Many parents know that back-to-school shopping can get expensive,” said Parson. “It’s an even more difficult task when 97% of our youth & families live either at or below the poverty line. Therefore, we partnered with United Way King County and Bowlero to put together a lighthearted, fun event where our young people and their families can enjoy some good food, music, and free stuff, forgetting about whatever stresses they may have had that week.”

Alexis Silva, United Way community and volunteer engagement manager, said that United Way partnered with Salesforce to provide 150 backpacks filled with school supplies, including three-ring binders, No. 2 pencils, blue and black pens, calculators, colored pencils, composition notebooks, and erasers.

Parson founded Pro Se Potential to provide youth with access to resources and peer mentorship for a safe and effective transition to adulthood. Pro Se Potential targets youth impacted by the justice system who must complete diversion and/or probation requirements as part of their sentencing. It incentivizes youth to seek and participate in therapy. And it rewards youth for making positive strides in their educational journeys. To learn more about Pro Se Potential, check out our blog.

Many parents know that back-to-school shopping can get expensive,” said Parson. “It’s an even more difficult task when 97% of our youth & families live either at or below the poverty line.

Pro Se Potential founder De’Vonte’ Parson

The Back-to-School Bowling Bash allowed Parson to provide youth from all walks of life with tools to help them succeed in school.

“All of the families were extremely grateful,” said Parson. “Some parents made new friends with other parents. Some youths got to bowl and connect with other youths they had never interacted with in the community. One parent who saw our ad on Facebook said, ‘Thank you so much. I didn’t know how I was going to afford the supplies for my son this year. Whatever this program does, please keep me in the loop.’”