News Summary
The Newport-Mesa Unified School District successfully hosted a back-to-school expo, benefiting around 2,000 local students and families. Held outside IKEA Costa Mesa, the event provided essential supplies, free haircuts, hygiene kits, and more to ensure families are prepared for the upcoming school year. This community initiative, in collaboration with various organizations, aimed to equip families with resources while fostering a sense of collaboration and support within the Newport-Mesa area.
Newport-Mesa, California – Successful Back-to-School Expo Supports Local Families
The Newport-Mesa Unified School District (NMUSD) hosted a successful back-to-school expo on Saturday, providing vital resources to around 2,000 local students and their families. The event took place outside IKEA Costa Mesa, offering a wide range of school-related supplies and services to help families prepare for the upcoming academic year, which begins on August 18.
Participants at the expo benefited from free haircuts, shoes, hygiene kits, and backpacks filled with essential school supplies. These resources are crucial for ensuring that all students start the school year on equal footing and are equipped with necessary tools for their education.
This community initiative was a collaboration between NMUSD and the Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Orange Coast. Their partnership aimed at creating a collective impact within the Newport-Mesa community by making sure families had access to critical resources they need. In addition to school supplies, families were offered free food, basic healthcare services, and housing resources to further support their well-being.
Numerous organizations contributed to the success of the expo, including Share Ourselves and the Melinda Hoag Smith Center for Healthy Living, which focused on addressing medical and mental health needs for families across all socioeconomic backgrounds. The involvement of these service organizations highlights the community’s dedication to supporting local families in multiple aspects of life.
NMUSD spokeswoman Annette Franco expressed appreciation to the partners who made the expo possible. Contributions included name-brand shoes donated by the Crossing Church of Costa Mesa and haircuts provided by Revival Hair Outreach, illustrating the collaborative spirit of local organizations working together for the community’s benefit.
Activities and Engagement
The expo also featured engaging activities like raffles for bike helmets and skateboards, as well as fun options like face painting and balloon animals. These activities provided a festive atmosphere that encouraged families to participate and enjoy the event while gathering necessary materials for school.
Kristle Duran, the chief operations officer for the Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Orange Coast, remarked on the event’s aim to create equal opportunities for families within the Newport-Mesa area. The clubs also provide after-school programs, literacy, education, and training programs for adults, especially aimed at residents of Costa Mesa’s west side.
Feedback and Future Initiatives
Duran emphasized that the expo was the best operation in the last four years, with noticeable improvements each year. This success is a testament to the commitment of NMUSD and its partners to unite local resources effectively to support students and their families. By gathering essential materials and services, the expo aimed to alleviate some of the burdens families face as they prepare their children for a new academic year.
In conclusion, the Newport-Mesa Unified School District’s back-to-school expo not only equipped families with the supplies they need but also fostered a sense of community and collaboration, reinforcing the importance of local partnerships in enhancing educational opportunities for all students.
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Additional Resources
- Los Angeles Times: Newport-Mesa Students & Families Get a Leg Up
- Orange County Register: Newport-Mesa School District Settlement
- Newport Beach Independent: Letter to the Editor on Kirstin Walsh
- Patch: Newport Beach 2023-24 School Calendar
- Los Angeles Times: School District Contracts Approved
- Wikipedia: Newport-Mesa Unified School District
- Google Search: Newport-Mesa Unified School District
- Google Scholar: Newport-Mesa Unified School District
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Newport-Mesa Unified School District
- Google News: Newport-Mesa Unified School District
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.
