What happens when you pair the Uber-popular sport of pickleball together with a worthy charity for students? A sold-out event on International Women’s Day before anyone has even picked up a paddle!!
May Kane is the founder of Clothing Clark County, a nonprofit whose mission is to provide support for Title 1 students, teachers and administrators. Through improved scholastic performance, kids can earn brand new shoes to help lessen the need for everyday necessities.
May also has a new title: Pickleball Social Director! (If not for our friendship, I may have never taken up pickleball! Thanks, May!) CCC’s Pickleball Social event on May 8th is a chance for participants to learn about the organization that ensures that every child has the clothing they need to succeed in school and in life; raise donations; and, of course, play pickleball!
“Pickleball! A sport I never knew I would come to love,” says May. “Geni Hubbard—my Board member who has been with me from the start—suggested doing a ‘pickleball social.’ I mean, it is completely genius. I love that it falls on International Women’s Day because women put this together to support the students in addition to the women attending. Don’t get me wrong, there will be men there, but to be at a sporting event where women are predominantly supporting other women, that’s beautiful and empowering.”
What is even more empowering is the pledge May made to students in 2022 when she decided to start Clothing Clark County. She says that no child should be kept from reaching their full potential due to a lack of basic human necessities.
“I relate to this because I was once one of the children we are serving,” admits May.
May is first generation Thai American; her parents moved from Thailand to the States many years ago. They spoke very little English and worked really hard to provide a roof over her head, but she says there was little money for shoes, let alone luxury items.
“I was the student in school trying to find ways to do well on my tests but then also trying to fit in socially. I had to make do with what I had. I owe the support that I had around me then for my educational success,” says the now married mother of three.
May took time out from practicing her forehand to talk about her challenging childhood, her nonprofit’s success, and why rewarding success with shoes boosts the confidence of at-risk students.
THE WOMEN’S EYE: What is your WHY of starting Clothing Clark County?
MAY KANE: I attended Title 1 Schools, kindergarten through senior year of high school. I experienced firsthand the challenges students, teachers and parents faced with education and students’ basic needs. In third grade, I remember sitting in a circle during reading time. I looked down and noticed the holes in the front of my shoes were so big, I could see my socks.
I’ll never forget that feeling I had. It’s something I hope that other children will never have to feel. I learned to appreciate the hand-me-downs I would get from family and friends. I knew at an early age I wanted to be able to help students who needed items that many take for granted in order to go to school and focus on their education.
I remember graduating high school and joining a national nonprofit. At the time, I learned that Nevada was ranked 47th in education, which blew my mind. How can we possibly be performing so poorly? I wanted to address it while also making it fun for students. Students need to know the importance of education and performing well—not just for the state, but for themselves as well. I work with Title 1 students and provide new shoes as rewards because this is an incentive everyone can appreciate. The students will get an item that can be used and valued.
EYE: How much did your childhood impact you?
MAY KANE: Ever since I can remember, my dad has worked two full-time jobs. My parents worked a lot. Most of my childhood I remember was just about school and friends. I was very lucky to have the educators that I did in my life.
I had great support from my teachers. They helped me a lot with understanding subjects that were maybe too difficult for my parents to help. I spent a lot of time at school and getting the extra help I needed to succeed.
EYE: What have you learned since starting CCC?
MAY KANE: I have learned that there truly is a power in numbers. It takes a village to do even the simplest things and that is totally okay.
EYE: What has the first year been like? Challenges? Rewards?
MAY KANE: The first year was challenging because I did everything by myself. I didn’t have a team, nor did I know how to grow a team. I spread myself too thin many times. It did require me to learn everything from the start up until now though. I now know my strengths and weaknesses when starting up a business or a program.
The greatest reward so far is seeing that the program is showing results. Students’ tests scores improved tremendously, but I know I couldn’t have done this without my amazing team. I love my village who I get to work with everyday.
EYE: What are your successes so far? (Time for some shameless self-promotion!!! ha!!)
MAY KANE: Successes! We’re all about success! One of the middle schools we partnered with went through the first round of our incentive program. Their math tests scores showed growth by 15 percent. What’s amazing about that is this school’s goal is usually 10 percent for the year! We exceeded their goal in just four months!
That is what this program is all about. We want to see that what we are doing is equating to better test scores and that the students are excited about it. They already can’t wait for the next round! Also, I was really proud to get my first real community partnership.
When I received the email from the principal showing me the numbers, I said to myself, “May, you did it!” I was proud of not only myself but everyone involved. We truly did it. We made a difference and it’s showing results. What more can I ask for?
That’s the main beauty of this program. This is a result-based program. These students are working hard for their reward: shoes! Although we do provide clothing drives during the year, the main program is about growth and results.
EYE: What does the future hold for you and CCC?
MAY KANE: The goal is to partner with every Title 1 School in the County. There are over 200! That’s a whole lot of shoes, and a whole lot of students to impact, but we’re up for the task. I eventually want to expand to other parts of Nevada as well. Our state should have a better educational reputation and if I can help with that, then I will do everything I can to see it through.
EYE: What kind of feedback have you received?
MAY KANE: Many schools have reached out to me after hearing about the program. I think that everyone wants this and needs this. They want something to help get students and teachers excited about school. I had a student say in an interview, “I get it! I get why she is doing this; I’m logging on and studying and now it’s like I feel weird if I don’t log in to study. Plus, I got a new pair of Nikes for it. I mean that’s so cool!”
EYE: What have you learned about yourself?
MAY KANE: I learned that I can talk myself out of any negative self talk. When I started the nonprofit, there were many naysayers and doubters. Sometimes I would listen and started to doubt myself. But I realized, with the right people around you and the right mindset, I truly can achieve anything.
This all seemed so impossible at one point in time. It’s crazy to think now that I am talking about expansion, building a bigger team, grants and partnering with 200 Title 1 schools. It seems so outrageous, but here I am.
EYE: What do you want people to take away from CCC?
MAY KANE: I really want students to know that there is support out there. Our teachers want each of their students to succeed and if they believe it, they truly can achieve it. I feel as though this nonprofit shows students that we all care about their education and future.
EYE: What piece of advice would you give to someone about starting their own nonprofit?
My advice is, do it! Whatever it is, just keep going and do it. I don’t care what he said, or she said, or that someone else is already doing it, just do it. If you have a passion and your heart wants to start your own nonprofit, please do and never look back.
Thank you May! See you on the court!!
To learn more about May Kane and Clothing Clark County:
Website: clothingclarkcounty.org
Instagram: @clothingclarkcounty
Facebook: @may.koiyputhong
X/Twitter: @clothing_may
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