Assembly Member Jessica González-Rojas, alongside fellow elected officials, community organizations, labor partners, and local businesses, distributed more than 1,000 free backpacks to families across Jackson Heights, East Elmhurst, Corona, and Woodside ahead of the upcoming school year.
The backpack giveaway brought together a broad coalition of partners committed to making sure Queens students have the supplies they need to start the school year prepared and supported. By providing backpacks and school supplies at no cost, the event helped ease some of the financial burden families face as they prepare for a new school year.
“I was proud to work alongside so many fellow elected officials and trusted community partners to provide more than 1,000 families with backpacks, school supplies, and important resources for the year ahead. This event is a powerful reminder of what we can accomplish when we come together to support our neighbors and build strong, caring communities. Mutual aid is about showing up for one another, and I am grateful to everyone who helped make sure families across our neighborhoods could start the school year with the resources they need,” said Assembly Member Jessica González-Rojas.
The giveaway was made possible through the partnership and support of Representatives Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Nydia Velázquez; Queens Borough President Donovan Richards Jr.; Assembly Member Catalina Cruz; Council Members Shanel Thomas-Henry, Shekar Krishnan, and Tiffany Cabán; and community and labor organizations across Queens. Assembly Member Jessica González-Rojas will be sponsoring additional back-to-school events with Assembly Member Larinda Hooks and several community-based organizations through early September.
Community partners and sponsors included the Hispanic Federation, Sunnyside Community Services, Hispanic Information and Telecommunications Network (HITN), Laborers’ Local 1010, District Council of Carpenters, Make the Road NY, Queens Community Houses, Queens Public Library, Paseo Park, 34th Avenue Open Streets Coalition, Apicha Community Health Center, La Victoria, Commonpoint, MetroPlus Health, NYC Health + Hospitals/Elmhurst Hospital, Korean American Family Service Center, Charles B. Wang Community Health Center, Billie Jean King National Tennis Center, Patiño Eye Care, NYCHA Residents Association, Center for the Integration and Advancement of New Americans (CIANA), Together We Can, UnLocal, Gotham Health, Elmhurst Suicide Prevention in Youth, LiveOn NY, Queens Community Board 3, Elmcor, Planned Parenthood, Epicenter NYC, Public Health Solutions, the Arab-American Family Support Center, Neighborhood Housing Services, American Pakistani Advocacy Group (APAG) and Asian Americans for Equality (AAFE).
The successful giveaway reflects the strength of Queens’ neighborhoods and what can be accomplished when elected officials, community organizations, workers, volunteers, and local partners come together to support families.
Assembly Member González-Rojas remains committed to connecting families across the 34th Assembly District with the resources, services, and support they need throughout the year.
Assembly Member Jessica González-Rojas, alongside fellow elected officials, community organizations, labor partners, and local businesses, distributed more than 1,000 free backpacks to families across Jackson Heights, East Elmhurst, Corona, and Woodside ahead of the upcoming school year.
Miguel Rodriguez
Council Member Tiffany Cabán at the giveaway.