Local NAACP Branch 1034 Partners With Perris High School

By Jennifer Palo

PERRIS, CA — On November 13, local NAACP officers made a difference in the lives of eight Perris High School families. Southwest Riverside County Branch 1034 donated Verizon Jetpack Mobile Hotspot Internet devices and other items to families without adequate access to technology resources during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Each year, the local branch holds a fundraiser to benefit local communities of color. The NAACP, National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, is the oldest and largest civil rights organization in the nation. The Southwest Riverside County Branch has been in existence since 1976 and serves a large area including the communities of Lake Elsinore, Corona, Temecula, Murrieta, Canyon Lake, Perris, Norco, Sun City, Menifee, Wildomar, Hemet, and San Jacinto.

"NAACP Branch 1034 exists to fight for our six game changers: Economic Sustainability, Education, Health, Public Safety and Criminal Justice, Voting Rights and Political Representation, and Expanding Youth and Young Adult Engagement. We owe it to our communities that we serve to fight and support equality in all of these areas,” said Branch 1034 President Pastor Willie J. Oliver, II. “Today is just another example of this type of service. One person and one organization can't do it alone. Today represents what teamwork and partnership can achieve. So, I encourage everyone to join your local branch. Action in motion, we all win."

This year with the COVID-19 pandemic forcing students to learn at home, NAACP Branch 1034 leaders made a decision to focus all donations on students and families of color in need of technology support. Rhonda Chick, Freedom Fund Chair, headed the fundraising endeavor. Education Chair Katie McClendon reached out to local school districts and identified needs at Perris High School. She also worked with the African American Parent Advisory Council to advocate for the donations being approved by the Perris Unified High School District Board.

Although school districts often provide devices for students to learn at home, access to reliable internet service is a need that some families cannot meet. This poses a difficult challenge to students maintaining their forward momentum in school.

On Friday, Perris High School faculty and NAACP Branch 1034 officers gathered to present the donated items to eight Perris families.

“The students have gone through so much during this pandemic," Perris High School Assistant Principal Dr. Kristi Coulter said. "This generous donation extended students and families some grace, support and hope. It shows them they matter.”

Eight families representing a total of 14 students were given a Verizon Jetpack, headphones, scientific calculators, rulers, notebooks, binders, college ruled paper, highlighters, pencils and pens. Additional items were also donated by McClendon through her Families Achieving Success organization.

“When a village comes together, there’s no limit to what we can do to empower and support the youth in our community,” McClendon said.

Through the NAACP donation, internet access will be provided for six months and can be renewed if needed. In order to continue supporting these families, the NAACP Branch 1034 has committed to adopting the Perris High School. School leaders and branch officers will work together to continue to support students and families of color during the pandemic and beyond.

“Students benefit greatly when the school, parents and community create partnerships to support students," Perris High School Principal Juan Santos said.

The families expressed appreciation for the resources and the encouragement, and the school administration lauded the NAACP local branch for building bridges in the community to assist families of color.

When asked for her perspective on the partnership, Rosie Brady, Branch 1034 acting vice president shared, “You have not lived today until you have done something for someone who can never repay you.”

That is the heart of service at the core of Southwest Riverside County NAACP since its beginning four decades ago.

The vision of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People is to ensure a society in which all individuals have equal rights and there is no racial hatred or racial discrimination. The branch continues to raise funds to help more families of color during the pandemic and is also welcoming new members to get involved. Zoom meetings are held on the last Saturday of each month.

For more information or to make a donation, please reach out to branch1034naacp@gmail.com, visit the website at changeisontherise.wixsite.com/naacp-branch-1034 or call 951-387-8848.