County Public Housing Youth Prepare to Start the School Year Strong

Annual Back to School Jams Provide School Essentials and Builds Excitement for the New Academic Year

August 25, 2025 – The Los Angeles County Development Authority (LACDA) celebrated its annual Back to School Jam events at the Carmelitos, Harbor Hills, Nueva Maravilla, and South County (Scattered Sites) Public Housing Developments. Students received backpacks, school supplies, and clothing to get them ready for the first day of class. The events also provided public housing youth and families with refreshments, activities, and community resources.

Families at the Nueva Maravilla event enjoyed the afternoon participating in arts and crafts activities while sharing stories over the excitement of the first day back at school. Laughter filled the air as families also enjoyed having lunch together and participating in a raffle where 25 food baskets were awarded. The event, made possible through the partnership with LA Rising, provided the new incoming class of students with backpacks filled with plenty of school supplies to prepare them for success in the classroom.

Students were smiling big when they entered the Carmelitos event and received a tour of the Teen Tech Center, which concluded with a photobooth where family and friends gathered to take pictures. After exiting the tour, families were greeted by various community partners such as For the Child, Juvenile Justice Crime Prevention Act (JJCPA), Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health, Long Beach City College, Twin Town Treatment Centers, the YMCA of Greater Long Beach, and the City of Long Beach Workforce Development Bureau. Representatives were eagerly answering questions and providing resources to help make the transition to the new school year smoother. Upon receiving all of the community resources, students picked out a backpack, bicycle helmet, and clothing.

At Harbor Hills, the gymnasium was filled with brightly colored backpacks, pencil boxes, school supplies, and clothing provided through donations from Rolling Hills Covenant Church, Crestridge Ward, and New World Academy.  Families and friends sat around activity tables coloring and working together to complete word searches as they enjoyed light refreshments. Harbor Hill Resident Council Member volunteers were present to help where needed and other partners such as Metro Life, Verizon, Boys and Girls Club, and others were also onsite to provide community resources such as low-cost internet information and various special enrollment programs.

South County families enjoyed playing games and making crafts together at their event. Games and crafts were provided by Office of Samoan Affairs. Partners such as Verizon, JJCPA, American Job Center of California, and The Prism Way were also in attendance to provide resources and support to families. Students K-12 got to pick out a backpack of their choice filled with school supplies while enjoying a cup of lemonade and snacking on popcorn. In addition to the school items, clothing, shoes, and books were available to all residents.

With everyone’s support, more than 500 backpacks with school supplies were distributed this year.

“The LACDA understands the importance of setting up students in our public housing communities for success. From day one, we want to make sure they feel confident and prepared as they begin the new school year and continue their education,” said Emilio Salas, LACDA Executive Director. “A big thank you to all of our sponsors and partners who contribute and commit to preparing our youth for a brighter future.”