News Summary
The Newport-Mesa Unified School District hosted a back-to-school expo in Costa Mesa, attracting around 2,000 attendees. The event provided essential resources such as haircuts, hygiene kits, backpacks, and healthcare services. Organized in collaboration with local nonprofits, the expo emphasized community support to assist students and families before the new academic year starts. With activities and partnerships showcasing a united effort, the event highlighted the importance of accessible resources for educational success.
Costa Mesa – The Newport-Mesa Unified School District (NMUSD) successfully hosted a back-to-school expo on Saturday, attracting around 2,000 students and families. The event, held outside IKEA Costa Mesa, aimed to equip students with essential resources before the new academic year begins on August 18.
The expo featured a wide range of free resources, including haircuts, shoes, hygiene kits, and backpacks filled with school supplies. This event was made possible through a collaboration between NMUSD and the Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Orange Coast, emphasizing the importance of community involvement in supporting student needs.
In addition to school supplies and haircuts, attendees had access to various services such as free food, basic healthcare, and housing services. Participating vendors and service providers included local nonprofits and community organizations, all working together to help students start the school year on a positive note.
Several renowned organizations participated in the event, contributing valuable resources. For instance, the Crossing Church of Costa Mesa provided name-brand shoes, while Revival Hair Outreach offered haircuts, and the Newport Balboa Rotary Club assisted in providing backpacks for students. NMUSD’s spokeswoman recognized these contributions as vital to the overall success of the expo.
The event also provided entertainment features, such as raffles for bike helmets and skateboards, face painting, and balloon animals. These activities were designed to create a fun and engaging atmosphere for children and their families, further enhancing the sense of community at the expo.
Kristle Duran, the chief operations officer for Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Orange Coast, noted the significance of community collaboration in organizing such an impactful event. This nonprofit organization focuses on offering after-school help and enrichment programs to students, particularly those residing on Costa Mesa’s west side.
Service organizations like Share Ourselves and the Melinda Hoag Smith Center for Healthy Living were also present, providing crucial medical and mental health services. Their participation highlighted the diverse support structures available to families within the community, ensuring that various needs were addressed during this transitional period.
NMUSD spokeswoman Annette Franco highlighted the expo as an example of the community coming together to ensure that children have access to necessary resources before the school year starts. She emphasized the collaborative spirit of the numerous partners involved, showcasing a collective commitment to supporting educational success.
The overwhelming turnout of approximately 2,000 attendees reflects the community’s need for access to these essential services and resources. Organizers viewed the expo as a resounding success, with Duran stating that it was one of the most effectively executed operations in recent years.
The back-to-school expo not only provided practical assistance for families but also fostered a sense of unity and support within the Costa Mesa community. As students prepare for the upcoming academic year, the services and resources made available through events like this play a critical role in setting them up for success.
As families anticipate the start of classes, the efforts of NMUSD and its collaborators demonstrate a strong commitment to education and community welfare. Continued support from local organizations is essential to facilitate the ongoing success of students and their families in the area.
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HERE Resources
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Successful Back-to-School Expo Held in Costa Mesa
Newport Beach Back-to-School Expo Empowers Families
Newport-Mesa’s Back-to-School Expo Supports Local Families
Additional Resources
- LA Times: NMUSD Back-to-School Expo
- Newport Beach Indy: Letter to the Editor
- OC Register: Special Election in NMUSD
- Wikipedia: Newport-Mesa Unified School District
- LA Times: NMUSD Step Grads Transition
- Google Search: Costa Mesa education
Author: STAFF HERE COSTA MESA WRITER
COSTA MESA STAFF WRITER The COSTA MESA STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERECostaMesa.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Costa Mesa, Orange County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the OC Fair, Concerts in the Park, and Fish Fry. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Costa Mesa Chamber of Commerce and Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Orange Coast, plus leading businesses in retail, fashion, and technology that power the local economy such as Vans, Experian, and South Coast Plaza. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAnaheim.com, HEREBeverlyHills.com, HERECoronado.com, HEREHollywood.com, HEREHuntingtonBeach.com, HERELongBeach.com, HERELosAngeles.com, HEREMissionViejo.com, HERESanDiego.com, and HERESantaAna.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into California's dynamic landscape.
