CONCORD, N.C. — It’s that time of year: getting back to school is right around the corner for several students. The good news is that there are organizations stepping up to help families make sure they have all the necessary tools before the first bell.
The Big E-Life Changes Inc. offered all the tools and supplies needed during its first-ever Youth Uplift Day in Concord. That includes resources to help cultivate positive mental health goals for students.
Alicia Bibbs with The Big E-Life Changes Inc. said this day is all about starting on the right foot.
“We just want the students to be prepared for the year by having a positive day," she said.
Beyond handing out bookbags with basic school supplies inside, organizers offered additional resources to families ahead of the first day of school.
“Bullying is a very big problem in our school systems, and so we just want to prepare them, not only to how to deal with bullying if they are bullied, but also kind of preventing bullying," Bibbs added.
One of the resources included came from Shalawn Avery-Glover with Present Age Ministries.
"We brought them here, and it's our goal to nurture them, to love them, and to make sure that they're headed in a direction that is best for them," she said.
The support for mental health was a key reason Valery Palacios brought her family.
“It's obviously something very big, something that we should do," she said.
The Big E-Life Changes Inc. stresses the goal is to help students and families understand the support from the community and bring awareness to the help provided.
Contact Myles Harris at mharris5@wcnc.com and follow him on Facebook, X and Instagram.