July Newsletter
Aaliyah Day
On July 2nd, I had the opportunity to attend Redirecting Our Culture’s “Aaliyah Day,” a celebration to remember and honor the life of Aaliyah Gonzalez. July 2nd marked one year since the worst mass shooting in Baltimore’s 300-year history. The mass shooting in Brooklyn ended with over 25 people injured and two fatalities, one of them being Aaliyah Gonzalez. Redirecting Our Culture was created in the wake of the shooting by Aaliyah’s mother, Krystal Gonzalez. Its mission is to restore respect, pride, and dignity to the community in an effort to curb future violence.
I was honored to join Aaliyah’s family and friends and learn more about her too-short life and the memories of those who loved her. Aaliyah was an 18-year-old recent high school graduate who had plans to attend college. The investigation into the murders of Aaliyah Gonzalez and Kylis Fagbemi, the second victim, is ongoing.
Anne Arundel County Public Schools Back to School Program
It’s only July, but in Anne Arundel County we’re already planning for the new school year. You can help kids get off to a strong start by participating in the Back to School Program, which is a partnership between the Anne Arundel County Department of Social Services (DSS) and Anne Arundel County Public Schools.
For more than 30 years, we have assisted elementary school children from low-income families begin the school year with supplies to be successful in school. Over 22,000 children in Anne Arundel County qualify for Federal Lunch assistance, an indication that the children’s families are low income.
Here’s how the program works:
Eligible students are referred to the program by school guidance counselors and DSS social workers.
Donors (individuals, churches, organizations and businesses) are matched with children in need of school supplies and are provided a list of the required supplies. The donors purchase supplies and backpacks and deliver the items to the Office of School Counselor at the elementary schools the 2nd week in August.
On average, school supplies cost between $50 and $75, depending upon the child’s grade in school.
How To Help:
Simply fill out the donor form and we'll contact you with the name of a child you can help. For more information, contact the Volunteer Office at (410) 269-4462.
Back to School Donation Program Brochure
Cash donations should be made payable to:
"Back-to-School Fund"
Anne Arundel County Department of Social Services
80 West Street
Annapolis, Maryland 21401
Contact Us - community.programs@maryland.gov / (410) 269-4462
Connected Devices Chromebook Giveaway
(En Español: Computadoras Gratuitas)
As part of Anne Arundel County Public Library’s (AACPL) commitment to help close the digital divide through a grant provided by Anne Arundel County and the State of Maryland, AACPL participates in a free Chromebook giveaway for eligible Anne Arundel County residents, while supplies last.
To determine if you are eligible to receive a Chromebook, please read the How to Qualify section here. Due to limited supply, only one Chromebook can be awarded per household.
If you qualify, please call your nearest library branch to schedule an appointment. To receive a Chromebook, you must bring all required documentation. Appointments are expected to last approximately 15 minutes.
For questions, please Contact AACPL.
