San Francisco, CA — To ensure local students start the academic year with the tools needed for success, the San Francisco Public Defender’s MAGIC programs will distribute backpacks stuffed with school supplies to more than 3,500 children and youth during two August events.
Saturday, Aug. 5
Western Addition Health Fair and Backpack Giveaway.
10 am. -1 p.m.
Ella Hill Hutch Community Center – 1050 McAllister St.
More than 1,500 backpacks and school supply kits will be handed out to students from pre-K to college. Health care providers will offer vision and hearing screenings, glucose testing, and dental checkups; community based organizations will be available for families in need of resources and information. More than 80 community volunteers are expected to support the event.
Saturday, Aug. 12
BVHP 14th Annual Back to School Event and Backpack Giveaway
11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
PG&E’s NOW Hunters Point Site – 155 Jennings St.
This is the second year BMAGIC will be hosting at NOW Hunters Point, a project supported by Pacific Gas and Electric, NOW Hunters Point activates a portion of the former Hunters Point power plant site with short-term events and community serving programs as part of an innovative site maintenance and community engagement strategy. Approximately 2,000 elementary, middle school, and high school students will receive school uniforms and backpacks stuffed with school supplies. Students in K-8 must attend with parent or guardian. Free shuttle provided by Salvation Army will pick up attendees at four stops: Evans Street at Third Street; Evans Street at Middle Point; Huntersview at 1101 Fairfax Ave; and Youngblood Coleman Park on Hudson. Families can also look forward to a Kid Zone which will include Street Soccer USA, haircuts provided by New Generation Cuts and so much more.
The two back-to-school events are among the largest and most comprehensive of their kind in the Bay Area, said San Francisco Public Defender Jeff Adachi.
“The MAGIC back to school events not only provide San Francisco students with school supplies, they are critically important for families who want to connect with health, housing, and legal resources,” Adachi said.
The annual events are held by MAGIC (Mobilization for Adolescent Growth in our Communities,) an organization initiated by the Public Defender’s Office in 2004. MAGIC reduces the number of youth who enter the juvenile justice system or fall through social service gaps by efficiently coordinating opportunities, support and resources. While Mo’ MAGIC centers its efforts in the Fillmore/Western Addition neighborhoods, its sister organization, BMAGIC, focuses on Bayview-Hunters Point.
More than 100 community-based organizations working in the areas of health, environment, juvenile and social justice, faith-based and after-school programming will be represented at the events, along with elected officials, city agencies, local merchants, funders, grass roots activist, and organizers. Healthy food, sports, games and live entertainment will be provided.
“Our backpack giveaway is one of the flagship events that serves as a platform to demonstrate our dedication to community, education for our youth and fun,” Mo’MAGIC Executive Director Kimiah Tucker said. “It’s a kickoff to the support we eagerly anticipate providing to families throughout the school year.”
The events also serve to bring neighbors together, said BMAGIC Executive Director Lyslynn Lacoste.
“BMAGIC and our network of partners look forward to this community building event and strive to improve the experience for our young people and their families as well ensure they are prepared and excited for the start of the new school year,” Lacoste said.
Mo’ MAGIC event’s sponsors include Kaiser Permanente; the Office of Public Defender Jeff Adachi; the Department of Children, Youth & Their Families; Schools of the Sacred Heart; University of San Francisco; Sutter Health-CPMC; and the Bay Area Black Nurses Association.
BMAGIC sponsors include the San Francisco 49ers Foundation; Golden State Warriors; California Pacific Medical Center, Comcast; San Francisco Credit Union; Union Bank Foundation, and Pacific Gas & Electric Company. Uniforms are donated by the Buddhist Tzu Chi Foundation.
