Children who came out to the Back to School giveaway at the North Ward Center’s Family Success Center on Wednesday walked away with backpacks covered in their favorite Disney characters, TV stars and superheroes.
Congregants of the Christ Church in Montclair and Agape Worship Center in Bloomfield helped donate book bags and school supplies for Newark families and children in need.
“We’re very grateful that we were able to do this,” said Vanessa Bohler, the director of the Family Success Center. “Last year we were only able to service 20 families but this year through the support of the churches we were able to service over 125 families.”
Each Family Success board member reached out to community members they knew were in need and encouraged them to sign up. The center then assigned the appropriate backpacks to children by age and gender.
Chairperson to the Family Success Center Gloria Nieves said one mother was so thankful she started tearing up. She added that the giveaway allows parents to afford other important resources for their children like school uniforms, which are now required in Newark.
“Not only does this event help parents get ready to prepare for the school year, but it also helps them make a connection to their local Family Success Center,” said Markisha DeVille, Partnership for Family Success Metro Regional Training and TA coordinator.
Family Success Center Childcare Provider Nivea Benedetti, who helps plan events for children at the center, received a backpack for her 4 year-old daughter.
“I’m just happy to see that the Success Center can help out the community,” Benedetti said. “We try to help out the less fortunate always.”
Ilda Gonzalez, 47 also came out to pick up supplies for her daughter.
“I’m happy because I wasn’t able to get my daughter any school supplies whatsoever, so this helped out a lot - and the book bag - she’s going to love it,” she said.
Starr Oliveras, 9 and Joylynn Jade Oliveras, 8 were excited to receive pink and Disney princess backpacks. The sisters, who will be attending Roberto Clemente Elementary School in September, said the school supplies will help them do better in school this year. They said their mother will reward them if they bring home good grades.
“We’re really big on families, especially parents being involved with the work that we do, so we can make sure that we’re meeting the community’s needs,” said DeVille, who helps coordinate 18 different Family Success centers in Newark.
The Family Success Center holds similar events during the holiday season such as Thanksgiving turkey giveaways and a Christmas toy drive.
“We’re trying to reach out to the community and let them know we’re here, everybody’s struggling,” Nieves said.
Adrianne Davis, the executive director of the North Ward Center, said the event is a way to help the community.
“We know it’s difficult for many families who are struggling to make ends meet,” Davis said. “This is just one small way we help bring together those who need our help and those who are willing to provide assistance.”
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