August 15, 2013

LAWT News Service

 

Mothers In Action will be hosting the largest Back to School Festival in California on Saturday, August 24 from 10am to 3pm at the Los Angeles Coliseum  3911 S.  Figueroa. The annual event will provide free health screenings, immunizations, back to school supplies, free haircuts, uniforms and valuable community resource information for children ages 5 to 15 years old as they prepare to begin the annual pilgrimage back to school for the upcoming school year, while supplies last.

“Mothers In Action helps young kids excel academically, by giving them the school supplies they need to reach their full potential both in the classroom and in life,” said Los Angeles County Board of Super­visors Chairman Mark Ridley-Thomas. “I am proud to partner with this extraordinary organization.”

Brenda Marsh-Mitchell, president of Mothers in Action said, “this is our flagship event. Kids fail because they cannot see, they fail because they cannot hear or they fail because they do not have the tools they need to succeed.  There is no service we provide to our community more important than making sure our young people have all the necessary tools and equipment they will need to secure a quality education. 

This year’s event is being sponsored by The Bakewell Family Foundation,  The Brotherhood Crusade, SEIU ULTCW, the Cochran Law Firm, One United Bank, The Weingart Foundation, CW Driver Construction, The Los Angeles Sentinel, LA Watts Times,  Southern California Gas Company,  KJLH Radio, The County of Los Angeles, The City of Los Angeles, State Farm Insurance, Los Angeles Professional Managers Association (LAPMA), City of Los Angeles Bureau of Sanitation  and Bank of America.

Co-chairs for this year include LA County Supervisor and Board Chairman Mark Ridley-Thomas, LA Council President Herb Wesson,  LA City Council Members Bernard Parks and Curren Price, former City Councilmember Jan Perry,  LA Coliseum Commissioner Fabian Wesson, California assembly members  Reggie Jones- Sawyer and Isadore Hall and State Senator Roderick Wright.

“This year’s Back to School celebration will include America's next generation of leaders in science, technology, engineering or possibly the next president of the United States.  As we start another school year, I encourage all students to dream big, work hard and strive to make your families and communities proud of your future success,” said Assembly member Isadore Hall, lll -64th Assembly District

Once again, Mothers In Action will be distributing uniforms at their Back to School Festival  for students who’s school require them as a part of their dress code.  These uniforms are being provided by One Christ Church, Interior Music and SEIU United Home Care Workers Union, Laphonza Butler- President.

Over the past 15 years Mothers in Action has provided millions of dollars in school supplies and services to needy children in Los Angeles’ poorest communities.  Students have been able to not only receive back packs note books and other vital materials, but Mothers in Action has also provided health care screenings and optical exams and other needed medical services to insure that every child is well prepared for the upcoming school year.

“It is one of my most rewarding experiences in public service to help students go back to school prepared each year, from backpacks and school supplies to tools like health screenings that allow them to succeed in the classroom. I am excited to team up with an organization like Mothers in Action to give children in the community that opportunity,” said State Senator Roderick Wright.

Los Angeles City Council President Herb Wesson was one of the founding members of the Mothers in Action Back to School Festival and believes that supporting this event is one of the cornerstones of providing the needed services to the young people of our city and the constituents he serves.  “Whenever there are families in need, Mothers in Action are always ready to step forward,” he said.

“For the past 15 years, they have stepped forward to help families get their kids ready for school, and ready to learn. And it’s easier for children to learn when they know someone cares. Mothers in Action always cares!”

Cedar Sinai Coach for Kids Mobile Unit will also be on hand to provide health screenings, immunization shots and whooping cough vaccinations now mandatory in LAUSD (students must  have their immunization records on hand), The Children’s Dental Clinic will be providing dental screenings,  Dr. Ernie Smith from Charles Drew University will be providing hearing exams,  Hubert Humphrey Mobile unit will be providing blood pressure, diabetes and cholesterol screenings.

Along with school supplies and immunizations, children will be able to get free haircuts provided by Urban Barber and Beauty Shop as well as free food and entertainment for all in attendance.  For more information contact The Los Angeles Sentinel at (323)299-3800.

Other vendors include: Cedars Sinai Teen Suicide Hotline, Lead Poisoning and Prevention, Mothers Nutritional, WIC, Rolling Hills/Palos Verdes Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority and Pacific Asian Volunteer Association (P.A.V.A), D.P. S.S. Toy Loan, Independent Capital Management,  D.P.S.S. Cal Fresh

The Safety Village will be sponsored by State Farm Insurance which will include: California Highway Patrol to provide car seat safety checks, LA Fire Department, which will have earthquake simulator, Kids are 1st will be  providing free identification and fingerprint badges for children, Safe Kids LA, SCEC/LA providing earthquake safety information,  TSA, Metro and Red Cross.

Those who plan to attend should consider taking Metro. The closest Expo Line stop to the festival is Vermont Station.

Category: Community