From the desk of Executive Director Yolanda Randles

July 2023: Back to School Special Edition

The West Fresno Family Resource Center has been providing free school supplies, clothing, haircuts, and shoes to up to 2,000 families a year for the past 20 years through its Back to School event. This year, the Family Resource Center is teaming up with CalViva Health and the Fresno Grizzlies give out even more supplies and to bring a unique experience to families. The event, which will take place at the Chukchansi Park, the Grizzlies’ stadium, will also include a free meal and tickets to the baseball game for children and their families. Additionally, community vendors and volunteers will provide resources and information on topics such as employment, school readiness, health screenings, and safety. Raffles and drawings will be held and participants can win other items such as tablets and bicycles.

It is our goal to make sure that every child in the community has the supplies and resources they need to start the school year off right. Don't miss out on this amazing opportunity to support our community and make a difference in the lives of our children. Join us on August 5, 3-6 p.m. at Chukchansi Park for this back to school event of the year!

'Let's pack the park'

Organizations collaborating to sponsor huge back-to-school event

CalViva Health and the Fresno Grizzlies are joining forces with the West Fresno Family Resource Center in an effort that could lead to the largest back-to-school event in the Fresno area.

These community-based organizations already know that back-to-school shopping can be stressful for some parents. But thanks to this collaboration, many students and parents will experience a sense of relief.

“The goal is that when it comes time for back to school we don’t want parents to have to decide if they will pay a bill or buy school supplies,’’ said Courtney Shapiro, director of Community Relations and Marketing for CalViva Health “We don’t want them to have to make that decision.“

Shapiro said every year there are several small backpack events, but she believes one huge event would have a greater impact on the Fresno community. CalViva reached out to its partners, which raised $80,000 for the event. The goal is to serve as many as 5,000 families.

The event at Chukchansi Park, 1800 Tulare Street, will provide free school supplies, haircuts, clothing, and shoes. In addition, the park will be filled with community vendors and volunteers that will provide resources and information on topics such as employment, school readiness, health screenings and safety. Tablets, bicycles and other prizes will be raffled. To top the day off, participants will be given free tickets to watch the Fresno Grizzlies play a game of baseball. Of course, one can’t attend a baseball game without eating a hot dog. A meal will be provided as well.

“Let’s pack the park,’’ said Jason Hannold, executive director of the Rotary Club of Fresno and a Community Advisor for the Fresno Grizzlies.

“We’ve been able to make this a grand event so that every child and parent in the city and county of Fresno has the ability to access backpacks and supplies.’’

The Grizzlies are participating in this event because they want to be a good community partner, Hannold said.

“There’s nobody better here to partner with than Yolanda and the West Fresno Family Resource Center,’’ he said. “They’ve been doing this for 20 years very successfully.’’

Shapiro said her organization also wants to do its share to help the community where its client live and work. CalViva serves more than 360,000 individuals, Shapiro said.

“We know that good health doesn’t just happen in a doctor’s office and we want to be able to meet the needs of our members where they are,” she said. “We focus in on giving back and working with local partners, such as the West Fresno Family Resource Center, that understand the community needs.’’

What you need to know before you go

No cost to participants taking City Buses to the event

Back-to-School organizers are trying to think of everything to make this a successful event, including transportation and plenty of ice cold water. Participants riding City buses just need to tell the driver they are headed to the Back to School Event at Chukchansi Park, and the ride will be FREE.

“We want to provide as much as we can for the kids and community,’’ said Toni Wilson, outreach specialist for the Family Resource Center. “We want them to have a great day. We’re going to have a great event.’’

The event will be three times its normal size, Wilson said. “This is a great partnership with CalViva and the Grizzlies as we all want the students to start school on the right foot. This is great for our community.’’