MONTEBELLO – Helping struggling students keep up with their education is what motivates Rose Hernandez, Families in Transition Program liaison for the Montebello Unified School District. The Nov. 2 grand opening of the organization’s resource center on the Laguna Nueva School campus – which was filled with toothbrushes, backpacks, clothing and other essentials for homeless students and their families – was rather rewarding for the Families in Transition Program team, consisting of Hernandez, Rosemary Garcia and Aida Hinojosa.

“This Families in Transition Resource Center is an amazing first step, but we still have a long way to go,” Hernandez said.

The resource center supplies homeless MUSD students and their families with daily essentials, such as school supplies, toiletries, new and gently used clothing, blankets, towels and more. Leading up to the grand opening, the center was stocked, organized and decorated by about 20 special education students at the Laguna Nueva School.

“Our Laguna Nueva students and the District really made this all possible, and I am so thankful they were willing to undertake this project,” Hernandez said. “This center gives us the vision of what we have done and what we will continue to do.”

The Families in Transition Program mission is to provide MUSD’s 972 identified homeless students and their families with services that support the development of academic achievement. In addition to daily essentials, the resource center offers free food vouchers and housing assistance through the Program’s partner organizations, Heart of Compassion and The Whole Child.

“Montebello Unified has been very progressive in providing these services to our students and families in need,” MUSD Board Clerk Joanna Flores said. “The District is committed to making a positive impact on our students and their education, and I am hoping for many more projects like this in the future.”

PHOTO CAPTIONS

110216_MUSD_TRANSITION1: Interim Superintendent Dr. Anthony Martinez (center, back) stands with Laguna Nueva students after cutting the ribbon to mark the grand opening of the new Families in Transition Resource Center for homeless students and families on Nov. 2.

110216_MUSD_TRANSITION2: Guests peruse the donated items within the new Families in Transition Resource Center after a Nov. 2 ribbon-cutting ceremony on the Laguna Nueva School campus. The Resource Center supplies daily essentials for Montebello Unified’s students and families identified as homeless.