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Blackstock Cares students and staff describe grassroots mutual-aid closet and ask board to recognize founders
Summary
Teachers and students from Blackstock described a student-led mutual-aid effort — Blackstock Cares — that organized clothing, food and supply distribution over the summer and asked the board for recognition and help establishing permanent care closets.
Stacy Hunter Stewart, an administrator at Foxhawk Junior High School, introduced Blackstock Cares and asked the board to recognize students and staff who created a weeklong cultural celebration and a community mutual-aid event. Teachers Bethany Enoshia, Elise Maciel and Stephanie Shelton described how student leaders organized poster campaigns, a parade of nations, a community closet and a food pantry that culminated in a Saturday distribution event.
Presenters said the project began as student-driven responses to local walkouts and frustration. A first forum on Feb. 11 attracted more than 30 students, who then planned a week of campus events leading to a community collection and distribution day. The presenters said students organized clothing and food donations, staffed distribution during the Saturday event, and coordinated with district social workers and multiple schools in the district.
Student speaker Janina Naron described the experience as “eye opening,” saying she enjoyed community service and learned how to organize events while remaining in school. Presenters said over 50 families received mutual-aid packages during summer distributions; volunteers packed three vans and a truck for deliveries; and local groups, including the California Strawberry Festival, provided short-term storage for surplus goods. Teachers who hosted collection points opened multiple rooms in their homes for sorting and organizing.
Blackstock presenters described continuing operations: a shared storage network, ongoing delivery of diapers and supplies as needs arise, coordination with district social workers at Williams, Haycox and Hathaway, and plans for a fall community closet and fundraising to sustain the work. They asked the board to recognize founding students with certificates or a future presentation; the board members present thanked the group and discussed options but did not record a formal board action in the provided transcript.
Ending details: Presenters thanked staff, community donors and partner organizations and said Blackstock Cares intends to formalize “Panther Pantry” and care closets across sites.
