Community Needs From: Gonzaga University

Just One After-School Program

At Just One, our after-school program is more than just a place to hang out—it’s a dynamic, welcoming space where youth ages 10 and older can explore their creativity, connect with mentors, build leadership skills, and feel part of a positive community.

What We Offer

The program runs Monday through Friday, from 3 PM to 6 PM, during designated program months like March April May. Youth can drop in as their schedule allows—no need to attend every day.

Each week brings something new, including:

Arts & crafts

STEM & hands-on learning projects

Sports & physical activities

Mentoring & discussion circles

Field trips to explore the community

Free snacks or meals provided daily

Our field trips are a huge hit—whether we're visiting movies, Getair, resturants, thrift shops for budgeting lessons, or local parks for outdoor fun, we aim to expose youth to enriching experiences beyond their neighborhood.

Plus, we regularly invite in college interns, guest speakers, and community partners to lead special workshops and activities.

How to Join

The program is free, but families must create a parent account and register each youth for safety and communication purposes.

Once registered, youth are welcome to join us any day that fits their schedule—we’re a walk-in-friendly program, and there’s no requirement for daily attendance.

Why It Matters

Our after-school program provides more than just activities—it’s a place where youth feel safe, seen, and supported. Many of the youth we serve are navigating tough circumstances, and we’re here to offer consistency, encouragement, and meaningful opportunities to grow.

Whether they’re painting a mural, leading a group game, or discovering a new passion on a field trip—youth at Just One know they belong.

Just One's Christmas Gift Giveaway: Bringing Joy to Youth in Need

Each December, Just One hosts a Christmas event that mirrors the heart of Toys for Tots, but with a deeply personal touch rooted in community, relationships, and love.

This event ensures that hundreds of youth in our community feel seen, celebrated, and remembered during the holiday season—and it all starts with you.

How It Works

Parents and guardians register their children in advance and provide us with helpful information about each youth’s interests, hobbies, and age group. This helps us make sure each child receives gifts that feel personal and thoughtful.

We rally our community to collect donations—and this is where incredible people like you come in.

Community-Powered Giving

During the first week of December, we ask supporters to reach out to family, friends, workplaces, and neighbors to help us gather:

New and gently used toys

Teenager items are the hardest to find

Gifts suitable for ages 0 to 18

We welcome gently used items in good condition—giving a second life to treasures that still have love to give. Every single donation helps us stretch our reach further.

Once donations are collected, our team of staff and volunteers sorts all gifts by age groups to begin estimating how many youth we can support that year. We typically serve around 400 youth annually, made possible through the generosity of community members like you.

Registration Opens & Closes at Capacity

After estimating, we open registration to families and close it once we’ve reached our capacity based on the number of gifts we have available. This ensures we can give each registered child at least five meaningful gifts.

Distribution Weekend

The week before Christmas, staff and volunteers pack families with gift boxes:

The Friday and Saturday before christmas is pick-up time for families

Organized, welcoming, and clean up

Each child receives 5 hand-selected gifts from our team

This isn't just about toys—it’s about hope, dignity, and holiday magic for families facing hardship.

Why It Matters

In a season that can feel heavy for struggling families, this event lights up homes with joy. It’s one of our most cherished efforts—and none of it would be possible without people like you who believe in the power of community care.

What Is “Projects in a Bag”? Just One’s Thanksgiving Event

Each November, Just One launches our beloved “Projects in a Bag” event—a creative and heartwarming initiative designed to bring Thanksgiving joy, hands-on learning, and full holiday meals directly to the homes of youth and families in our community.

The Project Creation Week

In the week leading up to Thanksgiving, our staff and volunteers dedicate time during season to assemble customized “Project in a Bag” kits. These bags include:

Arts & crafts projects for family activities 

STEM activities that spark creativity and learning

Meals to enjoy as a family

Fun surprises for youth of all ages

Each bag is thoughtfully put together with love and care, ensuring that every youth who receives one feels seen, valued, and celebrated.

Deliveries to Registered Families

Once the bags are complete, our team of volunteers and staff members personally deliver them to families who registered in advance. We prioritize areas with limited access to resources, making sure every family feels included in the holiday spirit—especially those who may not be able to attend in-person programming.

A Full Thanksgiving Meal—Thanks to Gonzaga’s Sodexo Catering

In addition to the project bags, each registered family receives a fully prepared Thanksgiving meal provided by our incredible partners at Gonzaga University’s Sodexo Catering. Every family member is accounted for, with hearty portions and thoughtful accommodations so no one is left out at the dinner table.

This partnership allows us to provide real, high-quality holiday meals—not just pantry items—which makes a huge difference for families facing food insecurity or financial strain during the season.

More Than a Meal—It’s Connection, Creativity, and Community

Projects in a Bag is more than a seasonal program—it’s a symbol of how we show up for one another. It gives youth something to look forward to, allows families to create together, and reminds our community that they are not alone.