A FREE DAYLONG EVENT DEDICATED TO PROVIDING OAKLAND AREA FAMILIES WITH BACK-TO-SCHOOL SUPPLIES, LUNCH, ENTERTAINMENT, AND MORE…
OAKLAND, CA – Today, over 2,000 Oakland area residents enjoyed a day at DeFremery Park as part of the Fresh Start Community Festival sponsored by SEIU United Long Term Care Workers (ULTCW). The purpose of the free daylong festival is to provide families who have been hard hit by the economy with the break they need and to ensure that their children have the supplies necessary as they head back to school.
“As we all know, the economy has impacted the lives of millions of families throughout California. From losing their jobs to losing their homes, this is a difficult time,” said Laphonza Butler, president of SEIU ULTCW. “The Fresh Start Festival is all about lending a hand to those in need and to let them know that we’re all in this together…no one is alone…everyone could use a Fresh Start.”
The Fresh Start Festival featured FREE back-to-school supplies and backpacks, haircuts and nail polishing for children 5-15 years of age, health screenings, lunch, and family entertainment including the music of Martin Luther, the Alphabet Rockers, Cumbia Tokeson and Maikaze Daiko (taiko drumming). In addition, Festival attendees witnessed the daring acrobatics of the Red Panda Acrobats and Circus Bella, the graceful moves of the African Dance Queen Troupe, and the stilt-walking members of the Prescott Circus.
Elected officials who joined Oakland residents at the Fresh Start Festival, included Oakland Mayor Jean Quan, Assemblymember Luis Alejo, Assemblymeber Joan Buchanan, Assemblymember Nancy Skinner, and State Senator Loni Hancock.
The LA Fresh Start Working Families Community Festival is made possible by the members of SEIU ULTCW, the United Long Term Care Workers’ Union. For more information on SEIU ULTCW, please visit www.ULTCW.org.
Contact: Wendy Carrillo – (213) 985-1694, (323) 333-4850
