 School is cool and so is learning how to budget while shopping for school supplies. That was the important lesson for some 200 "at-risk" families from the South El Monte area who attended "School is Cool." The event was also created to be a fun experience encouraging younger children to look forward to preschool.
Sponsored by the CARINO Partnerships for Families (PFF) Collaborative, the back-to-school event featured free school supplies. But each child purchased items with non-currency "SPIRIT" dollars given to them at the event. By having a limited amount of "money," they learned to budget while they shopped.
Many of the participants have been involved with the L.A. County Department of Children and Family Service and PFF programs which are designed to support at-risk families and reduce violence in the home. The event was to help ease the stress of purchasing school supplies as well as expose families to the community resources that offer ongoing assistance.The Collaborative partners help families in times of crisis (i.e. emergency food or clothing) and offer other important services such as childcare and tutoring.
Among the organizers of "School is Cool" were current and former CARIÑO PFF clients who developed a support group called "Parents as Leaders" (PALS). This group collected and donated clothing and used toys for distribution to the families attending the event. "The most exciting part was to see the PALS take such a strong leadership role. It was a great example of family and community empowerment," said Irene Redondo-Churchward, a member of the Collaborative.
Golden State Foods provided funding for the school supplies and backpacks for children ages 4 and above. Other collaborative partners included, El Monte-Rosemead Adult School, L.A. County Department of Mental Health, El Monte City School District Child Development Program and San Gabriel Valley Service Center. ‹‹Back to this week's Monday Morning Report |
