Eighth District Long Beach Councilmember Al Austin and the Andy Street Community Association are joining together to help more than 1,000 students get ready for the start of school.
On Saturday, Aug. 16, between 10am and 2pm, they will host a “Back-to-School Summer Blast” where schoolchildren can receive backpacks filled with school supplies, as well as free haircuts, free health screenings and free food.
The event will take place at “Pops” Davenport Park, 2910 E. 55th Way, just off of Paramount Boulevard between Market and South streets in Long Beach. Staff from Long Beach’s Department of Parks, Recreation & Marine will be present to gather input on the next phase of Davenport Park, an additional 5.6 acres that will be completed following environmental remediation required because of the park’s location on a former landfill site.
“I am proud to partner with the community to ensure our kids are healthy and have the tools to learn and be prepared for school,” Austin said. “I am also excited to hear from the community about what they would like to see in Phase II of Davenport Park.”
The event will offer games, prizes, resources and entertainment for kids of all ages.
Covered California will be represented and St. Mary Medical Center will provide health screenings.
There will be music and several resource booths, and the Long Beach Police Officers Association will be providing free hot dogs.
The Making Connections Alliance, of which the Andy Street Community is a member, was started as a way to bring social-service coordinators and property managers of local affordable housing developments together. The affordable housing developments taking part in the event are: Northpointe Apartment Homes, Andy Street Community Association, Pacific City Lights and Long Beach & Burnett Apartments. The YMCA and Boys and Girls Club are also participating.
For more information about the event, call (562) 570-6685 or (562) 513-5354.
Source: 8th District Council office
