The first Annual get Ready for Robla event took place at Taylor Street School on Saturday, August 19, 2017. Invitations were sent out to almost 550 children, the majority of whom had been identified as homeless under the McKinney-Vento Act. With housing and food instability impacting so many of our children, we had hoped to give our neediest children support in being ready to start school on the first day.

The Robla School District, along with our partners, the United Way, the Sacramento Food Bank, the Health Education Council and Adventure Christian Church of North Natomas, organized the event.

Once the families and children checked in with Robla administrators, they were then able to get a new haircut, collect a new backpack, and pick out gently used clothing items and/or shoes. Smile keepers were there with their 30 foot RV to provide a dental screening, fluoride treatment and tooth brush for our children. The health education council provided healthy food and snack demonstrations, Paul Mitchell School provided 20 hair stylist students to provide over 80 haircuts and the Food bank provided fresh produce for our “Farmer’s Market”. In addition, local agencies were there to share resources and information to the families, these included: Terkensha, North Area Mental Health, My Sister House, Legal Immigration information, Teachers for Healthy Kids, Mil Mijeres Legal Services, and the United Way and Sacramento Food Bank.

The event was a great success. Almost 150 children were served on Saturday. Our hopes will be to have even more children attend next year.