Press Release (29 September 2004)



CHILDREN ENJOY A BACK-TO-SCHOOL DAY
AT CATHOLIC CHARITIES' CENTER IN EL MONTE

San Juan Diego Center, El Monte, in the San Gabriel Region of Catholic Charities, held the 9th annual Back-to-School Day in late August, on the last Saturday before the beginning of the school year. During the event, students at the Professional Institute of Beauty School (who donated their time) offered free haircuts to 336 children. In addition, the children received school supplies and clothes, as well as hot dogs, fruit, and punch.

This annual event has become a local tradition, with several other organizations participating. The "O-5" Program provided information about early childhood development; the CARE program offered 20% discount on utility services; Healthy Families from Citrus Valley Health Partners offered free or low-cost health insurance to needy families. A representative from the Los Angeles County Department of Health provided information on health clinics and the West Nile Virus. Finally, the Center's next-door neighbor, Tyler Dentist Office, gave out free toothbrushes to everyone who attended.

Mary Romero, Regional Director, said: "The event has always been appreciated by families with many children of school age. The money they save on haircuts and school supplies is used to augment other home expenses such as rent and utilities. We are happy to help children start their school year well prepared."

In fiscal year 2003-2004, San Juan Diego Center in El Monte served 7,978 new and returning clients, with 42.8% of that number coming to the Center for the first time. The Center provided a total of 18,625 services. Over 85% of clients received bags of food. Other forms of assistance included participation in holiday programs, discounts for utilities, motel vouchers, classes, information, referrals, and gifts of clothing. Families constituted almost 84% of those helped and 83.5% of all clients reported having no income. An additional 13% of clients reported income under $13,000 per year. These statistics clearly reveal the persistence of extreme poverty in the San Gabriel Valley and the role of Catholic Charities in helping the poorest and most vulnerable members of our society.

Established in 1919, Catholic Charities of Los Angeles, Inc., has been one of the largest social service agencies in Los Angeles, Ventura and Santa Barbara counties, serving millions of people during the 85 years of its existence. During fiscal year 2003-2004, the agency provided about 1,180,000 services to over 229,000 different individuals in more than 50 offices and community centers. People in need come to Catholic Charities for emergency food and shelter, low-cost before-and-after-school childcare, immigration and refugee assistance, psychological services, computer and jobs skills training, and other supportive services. Poverty doesn't discriminate. How could Catholic Charities? All services are available to residents of the three counties, regardless of their race, ethnicity, income, gender or religious belief.



If you would like to receive more information, or if you wish to assist the San Juan Diego Center in its mission of serving the poor, please contact Mary Romero, Director, San Gabriel Region, Catholic Charities Los Angeles, at (323) 266-3130, or e-mail: maryromero1 at sbcglobal dot net.