Every summer, the Latino Task Force Summer Student Hub creates spaces where young people and children can build friendships, explore new experiences, learn together, and simply experience the joy of being kids. Through operating the Summer Student Hub year after year, we discovered something important. Nearly 80% of the children and youth participating in our Summer Student Hub are navigating housing instability alongside their families. This led to the discovery that many of the children we served in our Summer Hub needed new undergarments, a basic necessity that is often overlooked during back to school season. We have seen that many donation drives focus on backpacks, school supplies, shoes, and clothing. These donations matter and make a difference. Yet basic necessities like undergarments are often forgotten.

This summer, we launched the Beyond Backpacks campaign because every child deserves more than simply getting by.

Your support will help us provide:

Undergarments and essential clothing items for students preparing for back to school.
Weekly field trips throughout our 6 week summer program that expose students to experiences many have never had access to before.
A special end of summer shopping experience where students can choose clothing and essentials themselves at stores like Marshalls or TJ Maxx.

This year, students will visit places including water parks, lagoons, amusement parks, museums, and community spaces across the Bay Area.

For many students, these experiences represent firsts:

First time swimming in a lagoon,
First time at an amusement park, and
First major summer outing with friends.

Because every child deserves more than survival. They deserve dignity, belonging, joy, and memories that last.

WHERE YOUR DONATION GOES

Cull Canyon Lagoon Trip- Total Goal: $2,500

Group entry costs = $100
3 buses = $2,400 ($800 cost of each bus)

Six Flags Hurricane Harbor- Total Goal: $3,700

70 students x $30 = $2,100
2 buses = $1,600

Great America- Total Goal: $5,800

70 tickets x $60 = $4,200
2 buses = $1,600 (we needed 3 buses but thanks to community support, one bus is covered!)

Undergarments + Back to School Shopping Fund- Goal: $4,500 or more

Support students with essentials and clothing purchases

Interested in joining us during our student shopping experience later this summer?

to learn how you can get involved, email one of us below:

efrain@mlvs.org

mariela@mlvs.org

or katia@mlvs.org

Beyond Backpacks: Supporting Our Students with Dignity