Community Corner

ABCUSD Homeless Students Receive Brand New Backpacks to Start School Year

Through generous donations from local businesses and community members a group of local students will be armed with the tools they need to start the school year off right.

During a time when school districts statewide are grappling with the enormous challenges of state budget cuts, more than 200 ABCUSD students who are less fortunate will begin the school year with brand new backpacks stocked with plenty of school supplies thanks to a collaborative effort between the district's Education Foundation, local businesses and community members.

The project, which was organized by Century 21 Astro realtor Mark Anthony Ruiz, helps bring aid to students who are either homeless or dealing with fragile housing situations.

“The response to this drive to provide homeless, needy students their school backpacks was tremendous,” said . “It was truly a collaboration between local businesses and the ABCUSD Education Foundation.” 

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The backpacks -- which were donated by Century 21 Astro, local realtors, ABCUSD Education Foundation President Cindy Yen Chen, and J.S.T. Enterprise Co. -- were filled with school supplies from the Cerritos .

The students received the backpacks in time for the first day of school, Thursday, Sept. 6.

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The ABCUSD Education Foundation Making A Difference

The ABCUSD Education Foundation was founded last June to help support district programs in jeopardy due to budget cuts, according to Terri Villa-McDowell. 

In its first year of operation, the Foundation has already sponsored a Ragnar Relay race fundraiser to fund its first-year programs, an and the school backpack initiative for homeless children. The organization is comprised of a individuals representing business and education who donate their time, finances and expertise to ensure that all ABC students and every ABC school succeeds.


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