Annual Back to School Jams Kick-Start New School Year for County Public Housing Youth

Approximately 1,500 Educational Resources and Stationery Items Distributed to K-12 Students

Los Angeles County, August 27, 2021 - The Los Angeles County Development Authority (LACDA) hosted its annual series of Back to School Jams at the Carmelitos, Harbor Hills, Nueva Maravilla, South County, and Sundance Vista public housing communities. For 21 consecutive years, these events have provided public housing youth, as well as their families, with educational resources and school supplies to kick-start the new school year. 

Similar to last year, the Back to School Jam events were modified to accommodate social distancing protocols and healthy practices. Residents wore face masks during the entirety of each  event, and maintained a 6-foot distance from other households while indulging in arts and craft activities and games. The highlight of the events included the distribution of more than 1,200 educational resources, backpacks filled with stationery items, clothing, and shoes for youth K-12, and COVID-19 testing and vaccination informative material. 

The Harbor Hills public housing community welcomed a special visit from Congresswoman Maxine Waters. During the event, she connected with residents, thanked vendors for their involvement in the community, and handed out backpacks to youth. Donors included Shelter Partnership, HOPE Community Church, Helpline Youth Counseling, Women in Action Reaching Out, Smile Dental Services, Cliff Young and Living Sacrifice, MBK S8, JYoungin 4 Kids, and Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.

The Community Resource Center, operated by the LACDA in unincorporated South Whittier and supported by Fourth District Supervisor Janice Hahn, also held its annual Back to School Bash. The event was conducted in a grab-and-go fashion, allowing approximately 300 pre-registered community members to safely receive school supplies from the convenience of their vehicles.

“The LACDA continues to support public housing families by minimizing the financial burden of purchasing school necessities and providing youth with the basic tools needed to thrive in their education,” said Emilio Salas, LACDA Executive Director. “Whether our youth are physically in the classroom or learning virtually, the Back to School Jam events serve their purpose of offering assistance to residents.”