CDCR, CCHCS help kids go back to school

August 7, 2026

CDCR Academy staff and cadets distribute backpacks to children returning to school.

CDCR and CCHCS staff are helping kids go back to school, gathering supplies and backpacks for youth in the community. At some institutions, the population also contributed, donating funds raised through food sales.

This round-up will be updated as more submissions are received. Email photos and a write-up to OPEC.submissions@cdcr.ca.gov.

Academy hosts Badges and Backpacks drive

Helping children select a backpack at the CDCR Academy in Galt.

The CDCR Academy’s Badges and Backpacks initiative provided 39 backpacks filled with school supplies to foster youth and disadvantaged students in the Galt community. Cadets, professional staff and custody came together through donations, fundraising and volunteering to make the event a success.

The initiative wrapped up with a pickup at the CDCR Academy, where cadets and staff helped students choose their backpacks loaded with supplies, and passed out an ice cream for the road. All additional supplies collected will be donated to local schools.

“Badges and Backpacks is a great example of how working together as a whole and giving back can strengthen our connection with the community,” said Academy organizers. “We are making a meaningful difference for local students and families.”

Submitted by S. Boyack, acting Academy Commander
Richard A. McGee Correctional Training Center

Avenal State Prison helps community

Families receive supplies from Avenal State Prison staff to prepare to go back to school.

Avenal State Prison staff distribute school supplies and backpacks to families during a back-to-school event.

Avenal State Prison demonstrated its commitment to the community by participating in back-to-school supply distribution events for students in Avenal and Kettleman City July 28 and 31.

Staff helped provide more than 500 children with backpacks filled with essential school supplies. Each backpack included notebooks, pencils, pens, crayons, colored pencils, markers, glue sticks, erasers, highlighters, calculators and other classroom necessities. The events, held at Avenal Middle School and Kettleman Elementary School, brought together families, volunteers and community partners.

The excitement and gratitude displayed by the students reflected the positive impact of the collaborative effort. By helping provide the tools needed for academic success, Avenal State Prison reinforced its dedication to serving the surrounding communities.

Submitted by Lt. P. Chavez

Centinela State Prison population donates to shoe drive

Children were escorted through the store to choose a new pair of shoes.

Centinela staff and the Citizens Advisory Committee helped with the local back-to-school shoe drive.

The Conrad Harrison Shoe Drive once again brought smiles and confidence to children across Imperial County Aug. 1 by providing 166 pairs of brand-new shoes to disadvantaged youth as they prepared for the new school year.

Coordinated by the Centinela Citizens Advisory Board and funded through incarcerated person-led charitable fundraising initiatives at Centinela State Prison, the annual event continues the legacy of the late Conrad Harrison.

In addition to new shoes, the event also provided gift cards to the Betty Jo McNeece Receiving Home and children from the Quechan Tribe (Kwtsán Community).

“Every child deserves to begin the school year feeling confident and valued,” said Alex Cardenas, member of the Centinela Citizens Advisory Board. “The Conrad Harrison Shoe Drive is about more than providing shoes. It’s also about investing in children, strengthening families and reminding every young person that their community believes in them. We’re proud to continue Conrad’s legacy of compassion and service.”

Volunteers from Centinela State Prison, Calvary Chapel and the community worked together to escort children through the store to select shoes. The event also featured refreshments and family-friendly activities.

“This event represents the very best of community partnership,” said Kenneth Phillips, Community Resources Manager at Centinela State Prison. “The generosity of our incarcerated population, combined with the dedication of our volunteers and community partners, continues to make a meaningful difference in the lives of local children. It’s a privilege to see these funds transformed into hope for the next generation.”

The Centinela Citizens Advisory Board thanked volunteers, donors and community partners for making this year’s event a success.

Story by Ken Phillips, Community Resources Manager
Submitted by F.F. Castellanos, In-Service Training Manager
Photos by Centinela State Prison staff

Corcoran school supply drive benefits Kings County families

Back-to-school supply drive at CSP-Corcoran.

Thanks to the generosity of California State Prison-Corcoran staff, a back-to-school supply drive is benefiting students at Kings Community Action Organization, serving families throughout Kings County, and the Armona Refuge Center. CSP-Corcoran staff school supplies giveaway was held Aug. 5. Community events such as this not only benefit the recipients but also staff who donated.

Submitted by Lt. J. McIntyre

CTF-Soledad donates 100 backpacks, supplies

Backpacks and supplies for the older students in Soledad, California, donated by the Correctional Training Facility.

CTF-Soledad staff deliver backpacks and school supplies for a back-to-school drive in Soledad.

The Correctional Training Facility (CTF) Employee Action Committee, with the overwhelming support and generosity of staff, collected and donated more than 100 backpacks for children returning to school. They also donated an abundance of school supplies to benefit the Soledad Family Resource Center’s Back-to-School Resource Fair, held Aug. 1.

Over several weeks, CTF-Soledad employees donated a wide variety of essential classroom items, including backpacks, notebooks, binders, folders, pencils and pens, crayons, markers, glue sticks and other school necessities.

CTF staff support community youth

Children show off their new backpacks in Soledad, California, donated by the Correctional Training Facility staff.

The collection drive reflects staff’s commitment to supporting local youth, helping ensure students are equipped for a successful school year.

Members of the committee partnered with the Soledad Family Resource Center to distribute the donated backpacks and supplies. The center assists children and families throughout the Soledad community.

The event provided local families with much-needed resources while bringing together community organizations dedicated to supporting student success.

“The annual school supply drive is one of many ways CTF employees give back to the communities we serve. Through volunteerism, charitable giving and community partnerships, CTF staff continue to demonstrate public service extends beyond the institution’s walls,” said Ashley Baggett, Community Resources Manager.

Children wear their new backpacks, donated by CTF-Soledad.

“The generosity and compassion demonstrated by our staff continue to make me proud to serve alongside them,” said acting Warden C. Rojas. “By coming together to support the children and families of Soledad, our employees have shown the Correctional Training Facility’s commitment to public service extends well beyond our institution’s walls. I want to thank every employee who contributed. They are helping local students start the school year with the supplies they need to succeed. This donation represents more than backpacks and school supplies. It represents our staff’s dedication to strengthening our community and investing in the success of the next generation.”

Submitted by Lt. W. Landrum

DAPO Community Reentry Unit unites for backpack drive

The Inland Empire community came together on Aug. 1 to host a vibrant, family-centered backpack giveaway to equip local youth for the new school year.

Organized by Inland Empire Rebound, alongside The Bridge Ministry and Vibrant Green for Life, the event transformed a simple supply drive into a festive celebration of community resilience and collaboration.

The Division of Adult Parole Operations (DAPO) Community Reentry Unit (CRU) demonstrated public safety and community investment go hand in hand. The CRU contributed vital classroom materials such as spiral notebooks, composition books, pens, folders and crayons. The unit also added extra excitement to the day’s opportunity drawing, sponsoring four FIFA Team USA soccer balls and 10 In-N-Out Burger gift cards.

Children walked away with backpacks, school uniforms and essential classroom tools. The day featured face painting, live music and free food.

The backpack giveaway also drew strong support from other local agencies and community leaders. In attendance were San Bernardino Mayor Helen Tran and San Bernardino County Fifth District Supervisor Joe Baca Jr. Representatives from across the legal and justice system also stood side-by-side to support families, including San Bernardino District Attorney’s Office, San Bernardino Police Department, San Bernardino County Probation Department, San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department and San Bernardino Public Defender’s Office.

By bridging the gap between reentry organizations, faith-based groups, local government, and law enforcement, the event proved that collective community action is the strongest foundation for local families.

Story by Dwayne Hamilton and Jason Kogeman, parole agents II
Submitted by Brian Mendoza, acting chief deputy administrator

Richard J. Donovan Correctional Facility

RJD staff at the back-to-school event in San Diego.

CDCR staff members interact with San Diego Police Department cadets.

Staff from the Richard J. Donovan (RJD) Correctional Facility volunteered with not-for-profit STAR/PAL at a back-to-school resource event. They successfully prepared up to 500 local children and their families for the upcoming academic year.

The collaborative community outreach event focused on easing the financial burden of school readiness for neighboring families. Thanks to the joint efforts of multiple law enforcement agencies and STAR/PAL volunteers, hundreds of students left the event fully equipped with brand-new backpacks and essential school supplies tailored to their grade levels.

Back-to-school supply drive with RJD Correctional Facility in San Diego, California. — *RJD staff, from left, are Sgt. Ryan Polley, Lt. Katy Cottrell, acting Chief Deputy Warden Philip Bracamonte, Sgt. Hiedi Eugenio and Officer Anthony Tibayan.*

Beyond the distribution of backpacks and stationery, families also had access to community resources, information from local organizations and a variety of fun activities for youth. Attendees also engaged with law enforcement officers and community partners in a positive, welcoming environment.

Correctional Sgt. Ryan Polley said community outreach is a way to help those in need while joining forces with other law enforcement agencies.

Back-to-school supply drive with STAR PAL.

“This event was a positive experience. It was great to see so many different law enforcement agencies band together for a similar cause,” he said. “Outreach allows law enforcement to take an opportunity to look into the future of our communities through the children who are soon to take the leap into adulthood. This ultimately gives us a chance to make a positive impact, strengthen relationships and reminder that behind the badge are people who genuinely care about the communities we serve.”

STAR/PAL is a San Diego-based not-for-profit organization dedicated to empowering youth and supporting families through educational resources, mentorship and community-driven events.

Submitted by Lt. K. Cottrell

Follow CDCR on YouTube, Facebook, X (formerly Twitter).

See more community involvement stories.