Alejandra Zendejas ama el calzado deportivo y si uno la ve por la calles de Dallas es probable que lleve unos impecables zapatos Nike. La originaria de Guanajuato sabe que no todos pueden darse el lujo de tener varios pares de zapatos pues cuando era niña, ella y sus hermanas se prestaban los zapatos entre sí para cambiar un poco sus trajes escolares.

The love for the "sneakers" and their community was what prompted Oak Cliff's resident with her friend Jesse Acosta to create the organization steps for oak cliff that gives sports shoes to low -income families or who have been economically affected byPandemia.

For Oak Cliff steps only would be an event to raise funds to provide students with shoes for the return to classes on 2020.But seeing the growing need of the community became a non -profit organization.Now he works with other organizations such as the Women’s Shelter Genesis, local schools, community members, homeless shelters, to identify students who need this help.

Zendejas, 25, and Acosta, 26, are graduates of the University of Texas in Austin, but met in 2017, in Dallas, after their graduation.The two had already been very involved in the organizations of their university and were looking for ways to help the community here in Dallas.

Zendejas, which is a mathematics tutor, said that despite being volunteers in local organizations, they did not seem to be doing too shocking job.

The idea of the event to raise funds for shoes was given while Acosta worked as a teacher at Justin F high school.Kimball, in which he studied.Acosta remembers that in his first year as a teacher some of his students had very worn sports shoes or those who are not considered “cool” for young people.

“The culture here in Oak Cliff, focuses a lot on sports shoes.They all see what you carry on your feet, ”said Zendejas.

"We always say that we first see the shoes that people wear when we are in places like stores".

The original Oak Cliff was also one of those young people who did not have the best shoes at school.He even remembers having to have used the same of the previous school year again.

According to the organization's site, a couple of new shoes gives students confidence and academic performance.Children with old shoes are more vulnerable to bullying, isolation and lack of self -esteem.

One of Nike's most popular shoes styles is Air Force 1.Currently that white shoe has a price from $ 80 for a pair for children's shoes, and from $ 90 for adults.That price can rise up to $ 130, for a more decorative couple with colors and striking designs.

"(Before) we couldn't get the shoes we wanted.Now we can because we work, ”Acosta explained who, together with Zendejas, now collect sports shoes.

With the pandemic caused by COVID-19, Acosta saw how more students and their families began to be economically affected.

"(The students) sent me messages telling me that their parents were left without work or that family members were dying," said Acosta.

Zendejas and Acosta wanted to help their community, and after thinking about several ideas, the two sneakerheads: obsessed with collecting sports shoes, decided to take their passion for tennis to their community.

Justin F's teacher.Kimball recalled the problem he saw in the students' footwear in his first year of work, and hence For Oak Cliff.

In the first event to raise funds the money they gathered to give to give 150 pairs of shoes that bought from Nike Outlet stores.Donations were small business, groups that collect sports shoes and old friends from the University and High School.

For Oak Cliff steps accept all kinds of donations, whether monetary, new shoes, sponsors and volunteers for their events.

After a year as an organization, the duo has provided more than a thousand sports shoes.

He even established a scholarship program where last year students of high school received financial help along with a couple of new shoes.

Acosta says that if a shoe is ugly, I don't buy it for students.

"We bought shoes that I would wear if I were a student," said Acosta.

Convention steps

Qué: Pasos for Oak Cliff tendrá un evento con música en vivo, vendedores de comida y bebida y con vendedores de zapatos deportivos y ropa vintage.There will also be a shoe raffle, the raffle tickets cost $ 5.

Dónde: Four Corners Brewing Company, 1311 S Ervay St., Dallas

Cuándo: Domingo 12 de septiembre de 11 a.m.at 5 p.m.

Costo: Gratis

Más información: www.Stepsforoc.org