Our History

Over the years, I have purchased and filled book bags to donate to local shelters for children in need. To my surprise, when I made the call to a local shelter in 2019 to find out how many children needed book bags I was informed that they had 31 school-aged children in the shelter at that time. I only had 10 backpacks. My heart would not allow me to not bring enough for every child there so at that moment I knew I was somehow going to come up with 31 bags. I began to ask my family and friends to help and I was humbled, overwhelmed, and extremely grateful for the responses I received. Within 24 hours we received enough money to purchase everything we needed for the shelter and had enough money left over to purchase 7 more book bags that we donated to undocumented children in need in the New Haven Public School District.  
At that point I knew this was turning into something big.  My friends Crystal and Tricia reached out and asked how they could help and together we brainstormed and created Access Empower Succeed (A.E.S.). We are so passionate about this organization and our mission to get backpacks in the hands of as many children in need as possible. We appreciate any support you can give us with our mission. Sincerely, Elisa (Founder and President)