CDCR, CCHCS help students go back to school

Across California, staff from CDCR and California Correctional Health Care Services (CCHCS) are helping students go back to school through fundraisers and backpack drives.

Editor’s note: This story will be updated as more institutions, divisions, and programs submit their back-to-school activities.

RJD partners with nonprofit to help students

On Aug. 10, Richard J. Donovan Correctional Facility partnered with STAR/PAL in the fourth annual Back-to-School Backpack Giveaway. Donations from the incarcerated population were used to purchase backpacks and school supplies for kids in San Diego schools.

Held at the Colina del Sol Park, the event was more than a backpack giveaway. When they checked in, kids were given a list of all the available resources and activities. The kids could then go around checking off all the activities to make sure they didn’t miss anything.

Kids participated in activities such as music, resource booths, University of California-San Diego Mobile Eye Clinic and the La Maestra Mobile Dental Check-up. Also, the National Latino Peace Officers Association provided identification kits for kids, an information booth for Feeding San Diego, rock climbing, and laser tag.

More than 400 backpacks and school supplies were provided for elementary through high school age kids.

Submitted by Lt. Adam Garvey

Salinas Valley helps kids with backpacks, school supplies

Salinas Valley State Prison launched an initiative in July to support the community by organizing a back-to-school supply drive.

This drive aims to help less-fortunate children in the local area, ensuring they have essential tools needed for the school year.

Thanks to the generous contributions of staff, the incarcerated population, and community members, the drive donated 160 backpacks filled with school supplies. They were distributed to three schools in Monterey County: Sherwood Elementary, Chualar Elementary, and Santa Lucia Elementary.

The back-to-school supply drive organized by Salinas Valley State Prison addressed the immediate needs of the students while also highlighting the importance of community involvement in supporting education.

“The drive was a collective effort in making a meaningful difference in the lives of the youth in our communities,” said Warden Carlos Arce.

Submitted by Lt. Wesley Fonseca

Mule Creek hosts backpack drive

Mule Creek State Prison’s Community Resource Office, along with the prison employee association, partnered with Nexus Youth and Family Services for their annual Backpack 2 School Project.

The project provides backpacks filled with notebooks, pens, and other academic materials to Amador County students in grades from kindergarten through high school. This project helps students who may otherwise lack the resources necessary for academic success.

The drive alleviates financial burdens on families while also fostering a sense of belonging and support within the community.

This program extends beyond mere material provision, serving as a catalyst for further discussions about educational equity and community involvement. Through July and into the first part of August, staff at MCSP rallied to donate over 120 backpacks to the students.

Submitted by the Community Resource Office

Calipatria donates 178 supply-stuffed backpacks with supplies

Following weeks of gathering supplies and backpacks, Calipatria State Prison delivered the donated materials to Calipatria Unified School District Aug. 9.

In July and August, prison employees collected backpacks and school supplies. Their goal was to reach 150 filled backpacks, but far exceeded the goal, instead hitting 178.

Staff from all areas of the prison scrambled to purchase supplies and backpacks.

The backpacks included: binders, spiral notebooks, crayons, markers, colored pencils, pencil sharpeners, pens and pencils, erasers, glue and glue sticks, pencil cases, scissors and rulers. They were delivered to the Latin American Club in Calipatria to benefit students in need in the school district.

The event has become an annual competition for staff to see which department can donate the most backpacks.

“The selfless generosity displayed by Calipatria State Prison’s staff is a testament of their commitment to the local cities and the importance they place on the success for the future of the children who live within them,” according to organizers.

“Whether it is responding to an emergency or a need in the community, our Calipatria team will rise to the occasion. We are proud our staff’s efforts surpassed its original goal of school supplies,” said Warden Roberto Arias. “Many within the community will benefit throughout the school year.”

The club thanked staff for their efforts.

“The Calipatria Latin American Club is sincerely grateful to the Calipatria State Prison staff for your generosity,” said Angie Garcia, club member. “Once again, you’ve demonstrated commitment in community development and great passion in helping children. It’s your collaboration with us that helped put a smile on so many faces this year as kids get ready to start school. Again, you showed great heart in giving toward our backpack drive event. The community and our members send their heartfelt thanks.”

A prison staff member said it’s important to give back to the community.

“Our school supply drive has evolved over the years. What began with us donating a few basic school supplies has grown into us providing completely filled backpacks,” said Frances Stratton, labor relations analyst. “It’s great to see our staff join together to provide these much-needed items for the children in our local community.”

Submitted by Lt. E. Uribe

Bikes, backpacks donated by Valley State Prison

Valley State Prison collaborated with multiple local agencies and resources to support students in need by providing backpacks and school supplies Aug. 9. Through a partnership with Cornerstone Community Church, the event successfully distributed 345 backpacks filled with essential supplies. This initiative was aimed at reducing the burden on educators and families, ensuring students could focus on their education without the stress of lacking necessary materials.

In addition to the backpacks, the event featured a drawing for six Valley State Prison refurbished bicycles. The Madera County Food Bank also participated, providing 150 boxes of nonperishable food to attending families. To add to the day’s excitement, Cornerstone Community Church sponsored shaved ice and set up bounce houses, bringing joy to the children in attendance.

“This collaborative effort highlights the strength and generosity of our community,” said acting Warden O. Bailey. “By coming together, we were able to make a significant impact on the lives of our local students and their families. It’s inspiring to see how much we can accomplish when we unite for a common cause.”

Families from Fresno, Madera, Chowchilla, and Merced attended the event, demonstrating the community’s wide reach and impact.

Tracy Costa, the Community Resource Manager at VSP, emphasized the significance of such initiatives, stating, “Giving back to our community is not just about providing resources; it’s about showing our commitment to the future of our children and supporting families in their educational journey.”

Valley State Prison’s Community Resources Department extends its gratitude to Madera County Public Health, Merced College, Community Health, Community Action Partnership Madera County, Madera County Food Bank, and Cornerstone Community Church for their generous contributions to the success of this event.

Submitted by Lt. H. Gastelum

Avenal hosts back-to-school drive

Partnering with the Reef-Sunset Unified School District, Avenal State Prison staff held a back-to-school supply drive.

The local school district includes the Avenal city schools (preschool through high school). Staff collected hundreds of spiral notebooks, pens, pencils, markers, crayons, and more for the drive. The back-to-school supplies were given to the district just in time for their Back-to-School Extravaganza.

The event was held at the district’s Family Engagement Center where staff distributed these supplies along with other donations to local school children in preparation for the upcoming school year.

CTF-Soledad raises $26k for charities

In a display of community support, the staff and incarcerated population at the Correctional Training Facility (CTF) in Soledad raised over $26,000 for charities.

Half of those funds, raised by the Facility C incarcerated population, were donated to the Marina High School Athletic Booster Club. The funds will bolster the school’s athletic department, enabling the purchase of new sports equipment, fund travel expenses for away games, and provide new uniforms.

The other half was donated to Justice Works, an organization working to improve family bonds.

See more community involvement stories.

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