CDCR staff help children go back to school

Through supply drives, CDCR and CCHCS staff are helping children go back to school across California.

When more submissions are received, this round-up will be updated. Send submissions to Don Chaddock (email found in Global) by Sept. 15.

Avenal State Prison gathers school supplies

Avenal State Prison staff took proactive steps to support Avenal and Kettleman communities through back-to-school supply drives in early August.

Staff generously donated a wide range of school essentials including colored pencils, pens, pencils, crayons, notebooks, and many other supplies. The donations help children start the new school year on a positive note. Additionally, students received backpacks filled with these supplies, ensuring they had everything they needed for a successful year.

The events were held at Avenal Middle School and Kettleman Elementary School, where more than 500 children gathered. The impact of the community’s collective effort and the caring spirit shared between the prison and its neighbors was reflected in the young children’s smiling faces.

Submitted by Lt. Pablo Chavez

Calipatria State Prison delivers backpacks

Calipatria State Prison (CAL) delivered 252 backpacks, filled with school supplies, in support of the Calipatria Latin-American Club. The backpacks will benefit the children from the Calipatria Unified School District which supports the cities of Calipatria and Niland.

During the months of July and August, the Community Resources Office worked with the employees from CAL and the incarcerated population from Facility B to collect backpacks and school supplies. The goal was to collect 150 filled backpacks for the children. Staff from different disciplines such as health care, central operations, records, Investigative Services Unit and the Crisis Response Team began scrambling to shop and collect backpacks and school supplies in order to accomplish this goal. In the end, and as usual, the generosity of CAL’S employees triumphed as the goal was met and surpassed.

This event had such an impact, the incarcerated population from Facility B also donated $902 to this noble cause.

“The reason why I donated was because I understand the importance of the work being done and to give to children in need,” said Watts, an incarcerated person. “I grew up in poverty and my family often relied on donations.”

These types of donations have a positive impact on the community.

“It’s amazing to see how these small acts of kindness from CAL’s staff make such an impact on the children in the local community,” said Chief Deputy Warden Ernesto Bustamante.

The recipients were thrilled with the generosity displayed by staff and the population.

“We are truly and whole heartedly grateful,” said Angie Garcia, president of the Calipatria Latin American Club.

Submitted by Lt. E. Uribe

CSP-Corcoran donates school supplies to children

A back-to-school supply drive to benefit students throughout Corcoran unified school district for the upcoming year was held at California State Prison (CSP)-Corcoran. 

Because of staff generosity, CSP-Corcoran met the needs of the local school children.

The CSP-Corcoran staff school supplies giveaway was held until Aug. 1.

 Community events such as this not only benefit the recipients but also staff who donated.

Submitted by Lt. Justin McIntyre

Valley State Prison partners with church for back-to-school drive

Valley State Prison (VSP) joined forces with Cornerstone Community Church in Chowchilla for their second back-to-school drive. Held at a local neighborhood park, the event welcomed families with free shaved ice and a variety of school essentials for students preparing to head back to class.

A highlight of the event was VSP’s bicycle refurbishing program, which donated 65 bicycles of various sizes to children of all ages. VSP Correctional Business Manager Randy Lindsay, who helped distribute the bikes and backpacks stuffed full of school supplies, was visibly moved by the impact of the event.

Thanks to the Community Resources Office, over 300 backpacks were distributed. They were filled with school supplies such as notepads, pencils, and pens. In addition, barbers from Legends Fade Shop in Fresno generously volunteered their time to provide over 50 free haircuts to boys and girls.

VSP Protestant Chaplain Carlos Corra expressed gratitude for the partnership.

“We exist to serve, and today we get to live that out,” he said.

Acting Warden O’Brian Bailey personally handed out bikes to children. He shared his appreciation for the community collaboration and said he was inspired by the joy and smiles the event brought to families.

Submitted by Lt. Adrian Salas

Wasco State Prison helps kids go back to school

Wasco State Prison (WSP) delivered 75 backpacks and school supplies to the Migrant HeadStart program at the Wasco Union Elementary School District.

Joined by acting Warden Amber Williams was Public Information Officer Lt. Sal Sanchez, Community Resources Manager Claudia Saldana, and Employee Liaison Committee President Janet Munoz. They donated the supplies to underprivileged transitional kindergarten and kindergarten students, eagerly awaiting the new school year.

Each student picked out which backpack they wanted to represent them as they began their educational journey.

Submitted by Lt. S. Sanchez

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