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EDUCATION
AND JUSTICE UNITE
FOR
BACK TO SCHOOL EVENT
By
Cathy Jackson
Friday,
September 10, 2004
In an area of San Francisco where violence, unemployment and crime is common
place, the Bayview Hunter's Point community changed that image at the M.A.G.I.C.
Back To School event held on August 28th at Martin Luther King, Jr. Swim Center
and Bayview Park. People came from all over the bay area to participate in the
event.
"This event is fantastic! It is an event in the community where kids
convene for one purpose EDUCATION. And where the community is involved with
education." Kamala Harris, San Francisco City and County District Attorney.
Many parents and school administrators came out to enjoy the festivities, "…the
free back pack, the book giveaway, school supplies, my 6th grade daughter can
play with friends and I came to check out the booths. I hope they do this every
year, it's a real positive event when kids are working together," said
Deborah Gipson, parent. Fay Callier, Pastor of Channel Blessing Church brought
five children. Her grand children and foster children, "…I brought my
children for the free back pack, games and music. I had a chance to have my
blood pressure taken. I'm relieved it was normal."
Superintendent Ackerman attended the event, speaking with one of the
District's principals', Lewis Garrett, of Community Schools of Success on the
CCSF campus, said "...it's wonderful to celebrate the opening of the new
school year. This is what it's really about. I hope to see we keep the
enthusiasm."
The Mobilization for Adolescent Growth in our Communities (M.A.G.I.C.), Back
To School event was held to distribute backpacks and resource information before
the start of school when children need them most. There were over 1,000 people
in attendance throughout the three-hour event. Hip hop music for every member of
the family played in the background while families came out for organized
sports, free food, free books, school and household supplies, toiletries, toys
and children activities. The pool even provided free swimming for the day. More
than 40 informational booth from community based organizations, college and
school programs, local libraries, youth and health organizations were on hand to
provide needed on-site services and resources. Project Read gave balloons to the
children.
San Francisco City and County Public Defender, Jeff Adachi spearheaded
M.A.G.I.C. "We are thrilled! This is where we wanted to be - community
based involvement and to provide backpacks for support to deserving kids. I'd
like to see more than 1,000 back packs given out next year and to expand
M.A.G.I.C. to other areas." What is even more spectacular about the work of
the planning committee involved in getting this event off the ground is the six
weeks it took to pull it off. Six weeks is a milestone for mature organizations
to impact so many with such a short planning schedule, but M.A.G.I.C. pulled it
off. Rudy Corpuz with the United Playerz Not Haters brought out his crew.
"Everybody is stepping in the name of love and sharing each others
burdens."
As a result of M.A.G.I.C.'s success, the demand and Jeff's insight, Jeff has
assigned a member of the Public Defender's staff, Carol Chodroff, to manage and
grow the program. "It's so exciting to see so many community based
organizations, kids, community citizens and parents coming together."
Community organizations and city government agencies worked together to make the
day run without a hitch.
"The time is now the people come together community based organizations,
families and city government for a common cause. Let's hope this is just the
beginning and it continues." Theresa Moore. Volunteers came out to assist
where they could, Debbie Staneart with City Ministries had this to say,
"This is exciting and I am surprised by the kids…they came from all
corners of the city to get here. They all came together for this event."
Despite the long hardships within the community, support of local law
enforcement was apparent at the event.
"It is important for the community to know that our role goes beyond the
day to day policing, we are part of the community and some of us live in the
community and we want to be involved in various community events and to feel
apart. Particularly events like this one - stressing education." Commander
Sam Craig, San Francisco Police Department. As they were clear about their
involvement. Other support agencies were also clear and wanted exposure to show
the community that they are here to help. "We are here to serve our
community and to provide awareness of the City College of San Francisco and give
information on housing and food available…some students are homeless who
attend…we know they can't function on an empty stomach." Roslyn Denley,
volunteer, peer mentor and tutor.
Raymond Hodge, an intern at SFSU majoring in political science and business
had this to say, " The CLEAR organization is available to victims families
for needed services. CLEAR recently awarded seven different families in Bayview
and Fillmore areas a total of $5,000 in support funds. Each family had lost
family members in the last 8 to 9 months." The M.A.G.I.C. event is the
first of many to come. Look for the event on the last Saturday of August every
year. We all want the community and the children to have a positive impact as a
result. For more information on M.A.G.IC, contact Carol Chodroff at (415)
734-3088 or check the website: www.bayviewmagic.com
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