Community Involvement, Rehabilitation

Avenal staff, YOP donate to people in need

Avenal State Prison YOP participants with a table full of personal hygiene items they collected to benefit people in need in the community.
Avenal State Prison Youth Offender Program (YOP) participants organized a hygiene supply drive to help people in need. Along with help from staff, they gathered over 1,500 items for the effort.

Avenal State Prison Youth Offender Program (YOP) participants organized a month-long hygiene supply drive for people in need. The Facility F drive, in collaboration with prison staff, collected over 1,500 items for those in need.

The drive benefited the Kings Community Action Organization (KCAO), a federally designated anti-poverty agency for Kings County. Over 200 incarcerated individuals participated, donating more than 500 items for the drive. This act of selflessness demonstrates the commitment of the prison’s incarcerated population. Staff also donated, bringing the total to over 1,500 items.

Avenal prison joins other CDCR institutions as being committed to giving back to the community.

As YOP participants organized the items for delivery, their excitement was palpable when they realized the impact their donations would have on KCAO.

They thanked KCAO for the opportunity to be involved in something so positive. The YOP participants said they felt fulfilled by the event.

Upon delivery, KCAO staff and volunteers were thrilled with the generous donation. They thanked the incarcerated population and staff for their support.

Submitted by Lt. A. Schuller

See more community involvement stories.

Follow CDCR on YouTubeFacebookX (formerly Twitter). Listen to the CDCR Unlocked podcast.

Related content

A team of correctional professionals from San Quentin Rehabilitation Center (SQRC) and California State Prison, Solano defended their title at the 2026 United States Police & Fire Championships, earning back-to-back gold medals in the 3-on-3 basketball tournament.

San Quentin Jailblazers capture back‑to‑back gold

A team of correctional professionals from San Quentin Rehabilitation Center (SQRC) and California State Prison, Solano, defended their title at the…

A parole staff member pitches the ball at the DAPO softball tournament benefiting Special Olympics of Northern California.

DAPO softball game pitches in for Special Olympics

CDCR’s Division of Adult Parole Operations (DAPO) hosted its second softball fundraising event July 11 to support Special Olympics Northern…

Teams representing San Quentin Rehabilitation Center pay their respects during the opening ceremony honoring fallen correctional professionals.

Solano Fallen tourney raises over $12,500 for staff, families

Correctional professionals, law enforcement partners and community supporters came together to raise more than $12,500 during the recent Solano Fallen Resource…

Salinas Valley State Prison staff members participate in the first Cancer Awareness Walk held July 2-3 at the prison in Soledad, California.

Salinas Valley State Prison hosts first Cancer Awareness Walk

Salinas Valley State Prison in Soledad proudly hosted its first-ever Cancer Awareness Walk for staff and the incarcerated population. The…

Two CDCR correctional officers won medals at the US National Police and Fire Championship in San Diego, California, June 2026.

CDCR, CCHCS show up at US Police and Fire Championship

Staff from CDCR and California Correctional Health Care Services (CCHCS) showed up at the recent US Police and Fire National…

A CDCR recruitment unit staff member with a bike along with a California Medical Facility staffer at an X-Games booth in Sacramento.

Rolling toward the future: CMF, RCS join forces at X Games

The CDCR Recruitment and Career Services (RCS) Unit brought community engagement to new heights at the X Games Sacramento, transforming…