Micah House Partners With Community to Host Annual Event

REDLANDS>> Micah House in Redlands is partnering with the Redlands Police Department, as well as help from local businesses, churches, community groups and city and county agencies around the city for the 9th annual Back2School Jam and Community Resource Fair Aug. 6 from 9 a.m. to noon at Sylvan Park. The community will come together to give away bicycles, backpacks and supplies for the upcoming school year. Free snacks and music will also be provided for the community. The free event, which began in 2008, is open to the community and intended to support success in school for local youth by providing resources to children and families in a family-friendly setting. Organizers hope to match last year’s donation of more than 1,200 backpacks and school supplies to children and youth. Donations were funded by various groups including the Redlands Police Officers Association, Trinity Church, Citizens Church, Tom McGrath School Supplies, and grants from the Redlands Police Department. "The best part of the event is watching students open their backpacks to see what is inside," said Alison Anderson, Micah House After School Program Outreach & Development Coordinator. "Knowing these supplies will provide a foundation for their new school year is a priceless joy.” Throughout the month, members of the community were encouraged to donate a backpack, school supplies or a money donation to meet their goal of giving away more than 1,200 backpacks to kids and teens who are getting ready to start the new school year. Micah House, established in 2001, is an after-school ministry for at-risk children grades 1-12 from low-income families living in under-resourced neighborhoods. Micah House focuses on the educational, emotional, spiritual and social needs of students. Some of the participating groups, organizations, churches and agencies include: RPD, Micah House, Redlands Police Officers Association, Trinity Church, 180 degrees food program, Citizens Church, First Lutheran Church of Redlands, Fuente de Vida, City of Redlands Quality of Life Department, IEHP, 66ers Baseball, Redlands Unified School District, Redlands Fire Department, California Highway Patrol, City of Redlands Human Relations Commission, Massage Envy and Automobile Club of Southern California.