Dream Pairs launches new campaign to empower the Bronx community

Following the opening of its first-ever store in the Bronx, New York City, footwear brand Dream Pairs has launched a series of initiatives to support its community. Under the ‘Dream Pairs <3 The Bronx’ campaign, the brand is providing essential footwear to those in need while highlighting the social issues, such as poverty and inequality, its community faces.

"At Dream Pairs, we believe in the power of giving back to the community that has embraced us," commented Jimmy Lau, VP of brand marketing at Dream Pairs, in a statement. "Our 'Dream Pairs <3 The Bronx' campaign is a testament to our commitment to ensuring that everyone, regardless of their economic circumstances, has access to quality footwear."

One of the initiatives under Dream Pairs' new campaign sees the footwear brand partnering with three local schools, including The Equality Charter School, PS 160 Walt Disney Schools, and PS 168, to provide more than 1,000 vouchers to staff and students. The recipients can use these vouchers to select a pair of footwear of their choice from Dream Pairs’ wide offering. With this initiative, Dream Pairs reinforces its dedication to driving meaningful progress in the education field, and to supporting the welfare and assurance of both students and teachers.

"Thank you so much for providing our students with this amazing opportunity,” said Gina Alt, Assistant Principal at PS168, an elementary school for students with special needs, in a statement. “Not only did our students get to pick out and take home a brand-new pair of shoes but this allowed a rich real-world experience. The staff at Dream Pairs was extremely helpful and welcoming to our students, and they were thrilled to be there. This trip brought so much joy to P168X staff, students, and families, and we are all forever grateful."

Eric Morales, Dean at PS168, shares this sentiment, expressing his gratitude for Dream Pairs:"This is the first time in my thirty-two years as an educator that a company has reached out to us to give our students such an amazing gift. The staff was very welcoming and accommodating to our students of different abilities. Thank you Dream Pairs!"

In addition, the footwear brand has also partnered up with the Coalition for The Homeless, an established organization committed to assisting the unhoused population by providing essential winter boots and sneakers to over 400 individuals in the Bronx area. The collaboration between Dream Pairs and the Coalition for The Homeless highlights a joint commitment to aid those in precarious situations and tackle the root causes of poverty and homelessness. Through the donation of vital footwear, Dream Pairs and the Coalition for The Homeless not only provide urgent comfort but also cultivate feelings of self-worth and empowerment among the recipients.

Recent numbers indicated a 30 percent poverty rate in the Bronx, underscoring the critical need for community assistance and resources. Through the ‘Dream Pairs <3 The Bronx,’ campaign, Dream Pairs, actively engages in tackling these societal challenges, championing transformation and nurturing optimism in neglected neighborhoods.

"We are so grateful to Dream Pairs for the very generous donation of more than 400 pairs of boots for the homeless individuals we serve each day at the Coalition for the Homeless." said David Griffen, executive director of the Coalition for The Homeless, in a statement. "For those struggling without even a roof over their heads in our city, something as simple as a good pair of shoes or boots makes a huge difference in their lives and also lets them know that someone cares. A huge thanks to Dream Pairs for their compassion and generosity!"

This new initiative sees Dream Pairs aiming to impact Bronx lives positively as the brand leverages its influence to spotlight key social challenges, embodying inclusivity, empathy, and responsibility. ‘Dream Pairs <3 The Bronx’ not only delivers vital shoes but also cultivates hope and respect in marginalized areas.