Roosevelt church hosts back-to-school event

Young ladies and girls of the Roosevelt community assembled at the Gospel Lighthouse Assembly church for a Back to School Extravaganza, organized by the Open Hearts and Hands community organization in conjunction with Agape Ministries. The event offered free school supplies, community resources and opportunities for socialization.

Based in Roosevelt, Open Hearts and Hands focuses on providing girls and women with leadership development, mentorship and community service. Founded in 2024 by Tadayshia Anderson, the organization sought to further its services through the Sept. 12 back-to-school event.

Some of the services and resources given out at the extravaganza included girls receiving back-to-school hairstyles, insurance information, canned goods, clothing, school supplies and a prayer table for those seeking spiritual upliftment.

Some of the school supplies that were donated were bookbags, notebooks, folders, pencils, erasers, rulers, glue sticks, highlighters and more.

“We do need other women to come in so we can support these young women,” Anderson said of Open Hearts and Hands’ continued efforts. “We do need the community to come in to help us assist with the young women."