Cesar Batalla Back-to-School Drive

Back-to-school season -- for many, it's a time filled with excitement and enthusiasm towards a fresh start to a new school year.  However, for some families, the waning summer months can pose financial concerns as school supply lists grow. While every child deserves the opportunity to thrive in school, a lack of basic supplies can prevent students from ever reaching their full potential. And though Connecticut has one of the highest-ranked public school systems in the country, even we aren't immune to this problem.

As a team of VolunteerSquare teen interns, we know the importance of having the right back-to-school supplies and want to ensure that all students in our community have the opportunity to thrive. Through raising money and collecting donations, we will provide back-to-school "backpacks" of school supplies to over 150 K-8 students of the Lighthouse after-school program at Cesar A. Batalla  school in Bridgeport, CT. As a city with 22.1% living in poverty, there is a great need for community outreach and the children of Bridgeport truly deserve to start the school year prepared. All monetary donations will be greatly appreciated and used to purchase school supplies for the Lighthouse students of Cesar A. Batalla. Supply donations will also be appreciated -- for more information about how to donate supplies or for questions, please contact Executive Director Julianne Alberty at 203-722-5688 or [email redacted].