Imagine Hope: September 2020

Back 2 School Bash: Drive-Thru Edition

Imagine Hope is a one-year blogging project being undertaken by Caitlin Newby as she engages with Imagine LA at the deepest levels and shares her experiences and reflections.

Saturday, August 15 was proving to be another sweltering day in Los Angeles when I arrived at First New Christian Fellowship Baptist Church to volunteer at Imagine LA’s Back 2 School drive-thru event. Tables were already set up in a row in the parking lot and backpacks, bags of essential items and toiletries, and boxes of hot meals were being set out by staff and volunteers. There were colorful balloon arches built at the entrances and exits underneath which the cars would drive, and Val Vogt, Imagine LA’s Event Specialist, let us all know that a DJ, paleta cart, and Mickey and Minnie Mouse characters would be arriving shortly.

Across the lot, mirroring Imagine LA’s table setup, This Is About Humanity had their own tables organized with backpacks and bags of essential items. They are another amazing Los Angeles-based community organization that supports separated and reunified families and children at the U.S.-Mexico border. It was great to see the two organizations partnering together and sharing space—the more the merrier!

After signing a waiver and getting my temperature checked, I took a clipboard and joined Jill Bauman, Imagine LA’s President and CEO, and Karinn Cologne, People and Finance Manager, at the entrance to the parking lot to check families in as they arrived and be the first to cheer them on at the beginning of a new school year. A handful of cars arrived just as we were getting in place, and Karrin and I greeted our families at their car doors. 

There were about 50 families—current and alumni—that had registered for the event, and I was excited to see so many Imagine LA families in person. Although my own mentorship family was unable to come themselves, another Mentor from my team came that day to pick up bookbags and supplies and deliver them to our family. After talking to everyone on my Mentor Team over the phone, email, and Zoom for so many months, it was very special to meet one of our group in person (even if she did remain in her car!). 

So many families and individuals turned up unregistered and unconnected to Imagine LA as well. It was difficult turning these families away, so most left with at least one hot meal or a backpack. With so many attendees, there was also some confusion about which families were coming for This Is About Humanity and making sure they drove into the right “lane.” Because TIAH works with immigrant families, many who showed up did not speak English, which meant I had to dust off my college Spanish. Everyone made it through in the end, and it was such a joy to see young kids with their new backpacks and paletas getting out of their cars to take (socially-distanced) pictures with Mickey and Minnie.

The day was a whirlwind of activity only compounded by the heat, but it really was a refreshing and fun morning, and a treat to see families and meet fellow volunteers in person after so many months in lock down!