The Santa Clarita Valley is full of resources to help a child succeed. Although, with so many different agencies offering services, it may be hard to keep track of them all.
Fortunately, over 40 local agencies were all in one place on Saturday—Golden Valley High School.
Sulphur Springs Union School District and William S. Hart Union School District joined forces to create the Family Resource Fair where around 150 people got to learn about the wide variety of support systems in the valley.
“I want…the family to know where to go in the local community to strengthen them as a family unit,” said Dr. Catherine Kawaguchi, the superintendent of Sulphur Springs Union School District, who spearheaded the event.
It is no coincidence that these two school districts united for this event. Sulphur Springs Union students often matriculate into the William S. Hart Union School District as they grow older. Thus, partnerships created through this resource fair can last throughout the child’s entire schooling.
“We share the same families,” said Kawaguchi.
The fair catered to kids of all ages with programs ranging from ‘Getting Ready for Kindergarten’ to ‘Navigate(ing) the High School System.’
The availability of these resources was especially important to 11-year-old Jacob Issa. Next year, he will be going to middle school for the first time and he was concerned about the transition.
The fair was there to answer all his questions and he now feels more comfortable going to a new school.
“I feel a little better…because I felt a little nervous about going to La Mesa,” he said.
Some of the agencies included in the resource fair were the American Red Cross, the Domestic Violence Center of Santa Clarita Valley, Single Mothers Outreach and many more. There were 41 agencies present at the fair so those were just the tip of the iceberg.
“They all have something to do with supporting the whole child,” said Kawaguchi.
She says this if the first annual Family Resource Fair and there will be more to come.
