LA's Crenshaw YMCA Gives Kids More Than School Supplies

Students heading back to school need more than pencils and notebooks to feel truly ready, and one Los Angeles YMCA is making sure every child shows up on day one feeling confident and prepared.

The Crenshaw YMCA will host its second annual Back 2 School Family Reunion on Saturday, August 15, from noon to 3 p.m. at 3820 Santa Rosalia Drive in Los Angeles. The free event offers school supplies, haircuts, shoes, clothing, hot meals, and activities for families in the community.

"I want kids to be able to show up on the first day of school confident, feeling good, and with their best foot forward," explains Brittani Daniels, executive director of the Crenshaw YMCA. She believes true preparation goes beyond the basics most people think about.

For families in the area, getting children ready for school can mean choosing between essentials. Daniels designed this event to remove that impossible choice by providing everything students need in one welcoming space.

The event brings a true family reunion vibe to back-to-school season. Students can play games, enjoy treats from the Kono Ice truck, and meet other families from their neighborhood while getting ready for the new school year together.

Local partners are stepping up to support the community. The LA Kings, USC Athletics, and Jordan Brand are donating shoes and clothes, while 93.5 KDAY provides entertainment and a dentist and chiropractor offer health services.

Why This Inspires

Daniels understands that stress affects students physically and emotionally. Having a chiropractor at the event addresses how children carry tension in their bodies, even in how they wear their backpacks.

The event requires no registration and operates on a first-come, first-served basis. Daniels intentionally removed participation barriers because not everyone has access to smartphones or online registration systems.

"The community needs community," Daniels says, echoing the age-old wisdom that it takes a village to raise a child. She hopes families will connect with each other, forming carpools and walking groups that support students throughout the school year.

The Crenshaw YMCA serves as more than a resource center. It's becoming a hub where families find their people, build relationships, and access support from infancy through adulthood.

For Daniels and her team, success means every child walks into their classroom feeling proud, respected, and ready to fully enjoy learning.