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 A Day to Learn By... It was an afternoon in Watts and the crowd swelled as the voices began to rise. The organizers tried their best to restore calm but it was obvious that no form of order would quell the energy that hat hit its boiling point under the hot LA sun. “That’s not fair” a voice shouted, and others cheered in agreement. “We just need a little more time, please.” responded one of the volunteers. “If everyone would just go back inside and let us handle this...” This only seemed to irritate the crowd, they wanted answers now. “Why can’t you just handle it now? We’re already out here.” It became obvious to the organizers that they had already lost control. You could see defeat in their faces as they sighed and simultaneously all stepped out of the way. Watts has had a history of civil unrest but this crowd was predominantly led by children. I was surprised to see that they were so anxious and upset but, as a child who was raised by parents groomed in the 60’s, it was inspiring to witness. The kids worked together like a colony of ants but with the attitude of an angry mob. I felt for the organizers but was proud of the kids for their protest. So… what had gotten them all so excited? School supplies and backpacks. Right here in Los Angeles where graduation rates are abysmal, a group of 100 children touched by foster care were up in arms about school supplies and back packs? Well it started in early September when the Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf decided to provide 100 backpacks for Peace4Kids, Over 100 stores in the Southern Region appealed to their community of customers to chip in and provide the tools necessary for every child in the program to start the school year off right. Rita Davis, District Manager for The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf (Santa Monica, Marina del Rey, and the South Bay) was overwhelmed by the community response to the campaign. “Our customers were really eager to help. We only started this campaign two weeks ago but we have enough supplies to support kids for next year too. In fact, a customer just dropped off another four boxes filled with supplies.” The backpacks that they provided were subtle and black but brazenly carried the logo of Peace4Kids and The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf. Though it may sound a little self-serving the logos are more of calling card for the kids then shameless promotion. “Unfortunately foster youth tend to move a lot.” says Executive Director of Peace4Kids, Zaid Gayle. “We wanted the two logos on the bag, because if our kids have to move we want them to be able to find us by showing their new foster parent the backpack or by going to a Coffee Bean, showing the bag and saying ‘I belong to Peace4Kids can you help me get back there?’.” A girl walks by with her new backpack tightly strapped to her back wearing a grin that suggests victory. I stop her and sarcastically ask if she likes the bag. “The bag is cool, but there’s a pretty journal inside it that I can’t wait to use. And I’m gonna make sure I use everything is this bag so I can ask for more.” Statistics suggests that only about 30% of foster youth in Los Angeles County will graduate from high school. Well based on what I witnessed that Saturday afternoon, my prediction is that number is about to go way up. |
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