A new citywide program that aims to provide critical support for at-risk youth will celebrate its launch with a community event this weekend.
The , which boasts “cradle-to-career” services for local students, will hold its Community Health Fair and Flea Market this Saturday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at .
In addition to health services and flea market vendors, the community event will also feature a jewelry sales fundraiser and the Safe Routes to School BikeMobile where students can fix up their bikes and learn maintenance and safety tips. Additional activities are in the works, according to a New Haven Unified School District press release.
The community event will be the first for the Kids’ Zone, which is a partnership between the school district and various community organizations. Among those partnering to support local youth are Union City Youth & Family Services, , Congregations Organizing for Renewal, Kidango, , Fremont Family Resource Center, Washington Hospital, Ohlone College, YMCA and , among others.
The Kids’ Zone coalition was spearheaded by New Haven Superintendent Kari McVeigh and has been in the works since last spring.
“Kids’ Zone intends to serve an entire neighborhood comprehensively and at scale by creating a pipeline of support; building community among residents, institutions and other stakeholders, and cultivating a culture of success rooted in passion, accountability, leadership and teamwork,” McVeigh said during a presentation at a school board meeting last October.
McVeigh said then that the initial focus would be on the Decoto neighborhood to help promote college and career readiness. Among the various reasons the area was selected were economic injustice, low academic performance and a history of gang activity and crime, McVeigh noted in the presentation. (See last October’s presentation notes by clicking the image above.)
The Kids’ Zone Community Health Fair and Flea Market will be held Saturday, May 12 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Searles Elementary School.
For more information about the Kids’ Zone Community Health Fair and Flea Market, contact Searles family liaison Luz Ponce at lponce@nhusd.k12.ca.us or 510-471-2772 ext. 61502.
