The Empowerment Congress Southwest Area Neighborhood Development Council hosted a back to school backpack giveaway on August 8 at the Constituent Service Center. We were excited to give away backpacks filled with school supplies to 140 students in our community to get them started on the right foot for this school year.
Board members staffing the event were Dominica Robbins-Williams, Daniel Fuller, Naomi Suber, Rebecca Wysinger, Stacy Maspero and Sha-De Chapman.
Anthony Anderson, representing the City of Los Angeles, presented certificates of recognition on behalf of Council Member Marqueece Harris-Dawson and Council District Eight. The certificates recognized several Neighborhood Council Board members for their efforts in planning, organizing, sponsoring, and co hosting the Growing In Grace Back to School Drive, which provided support and resources to youth and families within Council District 8 and the South Los Angeles community. Members of Growing in Grace were also presented with certificates recognizing their leadership and role in hosting and supporting the Back to School Drive.
“This community has a special place in my heart. I used to be a young person here and it was great to pay it forward to today’s young people… it felt good to give back to our community.” Sha-De Chapman, lead event organizer.
Participating Vendors & Organizations:
● The SEED School of Los Angeles County
● Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD)
● El Nido Family Centers
● Black Women for Wellness
● Understanding Needed Integrations
● Los Angeles City College (LACC)
● Coalition for Responsible Community Development (CRCD)
● The Children’s Collective, Inc.
● East Los Angeles Vet Center
● The TribeFinity Tree
● Costco
Sponsored by:
Empowerment Congress Southwest Area Neighborhood Development Council (ECSWANDC)
Donations Provided By:
● Wanted Ridaz
● Grocery Outlet
● Chapman Family Child Care
● Twanna Chapman
● Marques Binns
Special Thanks:
A very special thank you to Council President Marqueece Harris-Dawson of Council District 8 for the use and support of the Constituent Service Center, as well as his team members Melissa Ramirez, Mr. Anderson, and Mr. Brown. Their support and assistance helped make the Growing ‘N Grace Back-to-School Drive a success.
Thank you to everyone who contributed their time, resources, donations, and support to serve our students, families, and community.