Enrichment Center Provides School Supplies for Tallahassee Youth

Volunteers hand out bags of school supplies to young students.
Photo by Christopher Bony

By Christopher Bony
Outlook Writer

More than 100 young students lined up at the Old West Florida Enrichment Center as volunteers handed out bags filled with school supplies during the Back to School Community Outreach.

 
On July 25, the Enrichment Center hosted the annual event to ensure kids in the community are prepared for the upcoming school year.

 
“We want to make sure the kids in the community are well equipped for school this fall,” said Raven Jackson, secretary of the enrichment center’s board of directors. “We also wanted to do something fun for the kids this summer and generate more awareness about the center.”

 
A wide variety of school supplies was given to the children and there was also a raffle that included book bags and gift cards to local stores.

 
“Raven did an amazing job organizing this year’s [event],” said Courtney Harris who worked the cotton candy table at the giveaway.

 
There were many different activities for the kids at the outreach event including kick ball, basketball and face painting while a disc jockey played music out on the field. Many parents also participated in the games and activities.

 
Maria Diaz who accompanied her son to the enrichment center said she attended other giveaways in Florida but really enjoys attending them here in Tallahassee.
“It’s smaller and more personal. We can really connect with other people in our own community,” said Maria Diaz

 
Capital City Youth Services (CCYS) set up a table to give out information about their counseling and outreach services for the troubled youth of the community.

 
Jess Tharpe, the outreach and development director for CCYS, said she wanted to come out and inform the community about their intervention and prevention services for youth ages 6 to 21 that maybe “at risk.”