Getting Ready
With just one week left before school starts in central San Diego, families ready to go back-to-school gathered at Jacobs Center for Neighborhood Innovation awaiting the doors to the community room to open. The sun beat down from above and kids were anxious to choose their perfect backpack for the coming school year. By the time the Communities in Action program staff opened the doors to the Back-To-School event, there were already 30 adults and children in line waiting to begin the event.
Getting Busy
As guests entered into the event space, they were informed how to navigate through the stations. Guests would sign in and sit down with our staff for an assessment of their needs and ensure that they knew about Home Start and all of our available services.
While the adults were completing the assessment, the children would go to the craft station to enjoy back-to-school themed coloring and crafts. After speaking with the parents, if we found they were in need of diapers, they could collect supplies at our diaper station before moving onto the backpack station with their children.
Getting The Goods
Families were aided by our staff in picking out a backpack and then guided toward the appropriate school supplies for each grade. Available staff were on hand to help the younger children and make sure they gathered all of the necessary supplies.
What was planned as an hour and a half became a fun-filled three hours until we completely ran out of backpacks and supplies. Next year we will hope to provide even more!
Getting The Grades
Communities in Action successfully aided 21 parents with diapers and 99 children with cool backpacks and supplies that were specified by the city of San Diego for the Fall 2019 school year.
Guests were appreciative, children were happy, and hugs were given by mothers in tears.
A very special thanks to the gracious donors who aided in making this event successful for the people in our community. Thank you to Allianz Global Investors, SDCCU and several private donors for your contributions.
Thank you.
Krystal Andersen
Communities in Action Program Manager
Home Start, Inc.