MIAMI — With the start of the school year just around the corner, community groups in Liberty City are making sure local kids are ready — emotionally and physically — for their return to class.
On Friday morning, children gathered at the Liberty Square Community Center for a back-to-school backpack giveaway.
The event, hosted by several community organizations including Community Youth Against Violence, Helping Hands Youth Center and the South Florida Youth Football League, aimed to equip kids not just with school supplies, but also with hope.
Before receiving their backpacks, children began the morning with affirmations to help get their spirits up at the community center, located at 6304 NW 14th Ave.
The giveaway is part of a broader summer camp effort to support kids in neighborhoods impacted by gun violence.
Organizers say the initiative is about more than just supplies — it’s about protecting and healing young people from trauma.
“People out here playing with guns. They saying guns kill people that’s a lie,” said Precious Police, a mother. “People that get hold of the guns is the ones that kill people. So if we can get people to stay away from them, then you’ll have to be able to save our children.”
Another organizer emphasized the role of the community.
“One thing that really trying to get across to our community is that the police cannot do this alone by themselves. We have to step up and be a positive impact in these kids’ lives as well,” said Charles Brown, board member of the Community Youth Against Violence.
Backpacks — some clear, others opaque — were packed with basic school supplies. Organizers said they would continue distributing them until 5 p.m., or until supplies run out.
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