Live Oak Volunteers Build Trust With School Families

Julie Gill stands outside Live Oak Elementary most mornings, greeting families in her bright yellow vest. She's part of YARR (Your Allied Rapid Response), a community group that's been showing up at local schools every day since January.

The volunteers started coming after families in the neighborhood asked for support. What began as uncertainty has blossomed into something warmer.

After several weeks of consistent presence, parents and staff began waving to the volunteer patrollers. Some brought them snacks. Trust takes time, and these neighbors put in the work.

The Ripple Effect

YARR's visible presence has done something important: it stops panic before it starts. When false rumors spread on social media about immigration enforcement at schools, the volunteers can immediately confirm what's really happening on the ground.

"We were able to knock that rumor down because we have a social media presence and we inform folks," Gill said. Being able to tell people when nothing is wrong has been just as valuable as being ready to help.

The group started in 2017 as just a hotline. Now they have hundreds of trained volunteers ready to respond when needed.

Janet, a local volunteer, put it simply: "This is my neighborhood. This is my community."

As summer approaches, YARR hopes to expand to more schools, including Gault Elementary in Santa Cruz. They're training more volunteers and inviting parents to get involved at their own kids' schools.

The organization posts regular updates on Instagram and Facebook to keep the community informed. Similar volunteer groups have formed in Watsonville and across California.

Anita, another volunteer, echoed what drives this work: protecting neighbors is what community is all about.