Youths from a total of 330 families received a total of 1,121 backpacks and additional school supplies at the Thursday, Aug. 10, “Back to School” supply drive organized by the Lewis County Youth Mentorship Program, according to program coordinator Lisa Leon.
Held at the TransAlta Commons on the Centralia College campus, the event was also organized and sponsored by Molina Healthcare, Family Youth System Partner Round Table with Great Rivers, Twin Star Credit Union and the Centralia College Early Learning Programs, among others.
In total, 40 community partners — including youth and family resource and health care agencies — helped provide school supplies at this event, Leon said in an email.
“Many youths brought their own backpacks or did not want the backpacks,” Leon added. “Once we ran out, Molina bought more supplies, and Walmart donated additional backpacks and school supplies when they were informed we ran out.”
Molina Healthcare didn’t just go out and get more supplies when they ran out, though.
Chrystal Patterson, community engagement specialist for Molina Healthcare, said in an email the health care provider was responsible for donating more than half of the backpacks given out and an abundance of school supplies at the event.
In addition to backpacks and school supplies, students were also given free haircuts, vouchers for sports physicals, books, clothes and shoes.
The Lewis County Youth Mentorship Program aims to provide at-risk youths with opportunities to learn new skills, improve youth mental health, develop positive social behavior and receive positive adult support while reducing substance abuse and school absenteeism.
Lewis County commissioners have earmarked $500,000 of American Rescue Plan Act funds to support the mentorship program through 2026, according to a news release from the county.
For more information on the Lewis County Youth Mentorship Program, visit https://lewiscountywa.gov/departments/mentorship-program/.
Anyone interested in mentoring for the Lewis County Youth Mentorship Program can email Leon at Lisa.Leon@lewiscountywa.gov or call 360-520-3711 for information on how to apply.
