They’re going back to school—but not like in years past. This school year is going to be very different thanks to COVID-19. Many local youth will be at home this school semester, sheltering-in, while they receive their education. Despite the new normal, Mothers In Action is still making sure that local students will be prepared for this unusual school year.
The 22nd Annual Mothers In Action’s (MIA) Back to School Health Fair will take place on Saturday, August 15, from 8a.m.-12p.m. at Exposition Park (Green Lot), located at 3998 Hoover Street, Los Angeles, CA 90037. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the festival will be a drive-thru only to keep everyone safe and protected. Pre-registration is also required for all participants.
“This year will look very different due to the COVID-19, and will be a drive through only distribution,” stated MIA President Tracy Mitchell.
This year’s event, in spite of COVID-19, is looking to provide over 1,000, school-aged, underserved at risk youth with a fully loaded backpack, Kleenex, dental kits, fresh fruit, hand sanitizer, mouse pads, limited amount of masks/tablet covers, activity books, valuable resource information (on health, COVID-19 testing, health insurance, immunizations, education, counseling) and more while supplies last. Mitchell continues to echo the mission statement of her late mother, the founder and president of MIA.
“Brenda Marsh-Mitchell recognized that kids fail because they can’t hear, see, or do not feel well,” said Mitchell. “She created the back to school festival to help diffuse the health issues that many underserved at risk youth in our community face and to provide the students with the tools needed to have a successful school year.”
The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated those disparities and many students have to rely on virtual classes and online curriculums. Many schools in L.A. County have helped to facilitate the technology needed for online classes by providing Chromebooks, better access to wi-fi and more. At this time of year, shopping for school supplies would be the norm, but thanks to COVID-19, getting supplies can be difficult, not to mention there are so many lay offs and terminations due to the economic downturn it has caused. MIA is looking to alleviate some of those difficulties by keeping the health fair via drive-thru for the community.
Mothers In Action would like to thank Chair Fabian Wesson and co-Chairs: Dr. Danny Bakewell, Sr., Bakewell Media, Charisse Bremond-Weaver, President of Brotherhood Crusade, Assemblymember Reggie Joes-Sawyer, Supervisor Mark Ridley-Thomas (LA County 2nd District), L.A. Council President Emeritus Herb Wesson (CD10), Councilmembers Curren Price (CD 9) and Marqueece Harris-Dawson (CD8) and School Board Member District #1 Dr. George McKenna III. Mothers In Action would also like to thank: Bakewell Media, Los Angeles Sentinel Newspaper, L.A. Watts Times, Blue Shield of California Promise Health Plan, Brotherhood Crusade, California Highway Patrol, Cedars Sinai, Kaiser Permanente, Chase Bank, Children’s Dental Fun Zone, Chris Paul Family Foundation, Los Angeles Regional Food Bank, Los Angeles Sanitation, Outdoor Products Fieldline Pro Series, RFP Insurance, The Cochran Firm California, Urbane Café, Bank of America Employees, Bree’s Helping Hand, Quality Equipment Rentals and 101 Enterprises.
Mothers In Action could use the community’s help. You can help them reach their goal, by donating to: www.gofundme.com/miabacktoschool or you can drop school supplies off between the hours of 9:30a.m. -5:00p.m. at Mothers In Action located at 4401 Crenshaw Blvd., Suite 315 in Los Angeles, CA 90043
Special thanks to our village of donors, sponsors and community partners that have made monetary and in kind donations to date.
