As summer comes to an end, many children in Inglewood are starting the school year with extra support, thanks to the efforts of L.A. Care Health Plan and Blue Shield of California Promise Health Plan and event supporters.
A back-to-school event was held on Saturday, August 17 outside of LA Care’s Inglewood headquarters at 2864 W. Imperial Hwy. Free backpacks full of school supplies were distributed to students and parents.
Overall, L.A. Care Health Plan and Blue Shield of California Promise Health Plan distributed 18,000 free backpacks filled with school supplies at 12 Community Resource Centers throughout Los Angeles County this summer. The giveaways are part of their annual back-to-school events.
In addition to free school supplies, families also received health education, social assistance resources, and participated in fun activities. Program directors emphasized that the event reflects the core missions of L.A. Care in promoting the health and well-being of the communities they serve.
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Kelli Robinson, director of the Inglewood Community Resource Center, said, “We are giving students the supplies they need. With prices rising, it has been hard for families, so we want to make sure we are doing our part to help families.”
Shayla Hernandez, a lead for the Inglewood Community Resource Center, added, “We are surrounded by about four schools in this area, and we really want to support those students in kicking off their school year.”
The back-to-school events not only provided essential supplies and resources but also included fun activities for children and families, such as video games, face painting, and other interactive activities.
Other organizations supporting the event included Allies for Every Child, Venice Family Clinic, F.E.A.S.T, Animo City of Champions Charter Schools, METRO (Mobility Wallet Pilot Program), and Covered CA.
For many families, the back-to-school events served as a welcome relief and a reminder that they are not alone. The combination of practical support and community engagement helps to foster a sense of belonging and resilience, especially in challenging times.
Inglewood resident Elyse Luce, a parent of two children, said, “This is a good incentive for parents and children, especially for those parents who are struggling financially. They offered medical information, food, and fun. We should do this more often.”
Kylen Crowell, a 4th grader at La Tijera Elementary School, said, “This is a really fun event. I played and won at video and basketball games and had popcorn and fruit.”
Inglewood Mayor James T. Butts, who attended the event, praised the initiative, stating, “Inglewood is the epicenter of social life. We want the emphasis on the next two generations, and events like this are a major part of that.”
