At least 100 backpacks were distributed days before school opened, part of a community outreach by a local union chapter.
Each containing a pencil bag with a ruler and a pencil sharpener, were donated by Laborers Local Union 455’s back-to-school backpack program and were distributed to K-12 students living at the public housing complex. Each student also received a notebook, and a box of crayons donated by the East Haven-based local, along with coloring books, pencils, water bottles and T-shirts given out by Sgt. Pat Buturla and crime prevention Sgt. Scott Allard on behalf of the West Haven Police Department.
Other backpacks benefited the West Haven Community Hose’s McKinney-Vento Homeless Students Case Management Program. The giveaway was organized by Andrew T. Inorio, the local’s business manager and secretary-treasurer. Inorio was assisted by office manager Georgette Richardson and laborers Jorge Rivas and Mark Simeoli.
Other participants included Community House Executive Director Amy Guay-Macfarlane, Development Director Alan Olenick and office/ERSEA assistant Jhoely Castillo, as well as Kiara Davila, Savin Rock Communities’ assistant resident services coordinator. The Community House officials also enrolled preschoolers in the social service agency’s Head Start program at 227 Elm St. for the new school year.
(City Photo/Michael P. Walsh)