Safe Lives, Strong Voices Ep.2

In this episode, host Soo highlights Tri-Valley Haven’s annual Backpack Drive and the impact it has on local students and families. She’s joined by Camaya from the Homeless Services Department, who shares what goes into organizing the drive and how the community can get involved. The episode also gently touches on what it’s like to take the first step in reaching out for help, and how Tri-Valley Haven is here to meet with care and support.

Transcript

SPEAKER_00: 0:04

Hi everyone and welcome back to episode two of Safe Lives Strong Voices, a podcast by Tri Valley Haven. I'm your host Sue and I'm really glad you're here. If you're joining us for the first time, welcome. If you've been with us since episode one, thank you for tuning back in. In our last episode, I mentioned we talk more about what it's like to take the first step and ask for help. That moment is often filled with uncertainty, vulnerability, and courage. And while we'll touch on that today, we're starting with something seasonal and timely. Our annual backpack drive. So every summer, Tri-Valley Haven collects and distributes over 600 backpacks filled with school supplies to students in need throughout the Tri-Valley. And for some of these students, something as simple as a backpack can be a source of confidence and dignity and a reminder that they are not alone. And the best part is the drive itself is powered by the community. Every backpack, every notebook, every pencil. It's all donated by neighbors, businesses, groups, and community members who just want to help kids feel ready for the school year. If you're listening and wondering how to get involved, we're still accepting donations of pre-filled backpacks through Friday, July 18th. Drop-offs can be made Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at our main office, 3663 Pacific Avenue in Livermore. There's also a supply list on our website at trivalleyhaven.org if you would like some guidance on what to include. To give you a better look at what goes into organizing the backpack drive, I had a conversation with Kamaya, a staff member in our homeless services department who is helping lead the effort this year. I'm so happy she was able to join me for this episode. Here's our conversation. Joining us today is Kamaya from our team, who's been working closely on this year's backpack drive. Kamaya, could you start by introducing yourself and your role at Tri-Valley Haven?

SPEAKER_01: 2:20

Hi, Sue. Thanks for having me. I'm Kamaya. I work at Sojourner House. It's one of the family shelters here at Tri Valley Haven, and I teach life skills. We do twice a week classes.

SPEAKER_00: 2:32

Nice. Thank you for letting us know about what you do at Tri-Valley Haven. So let's start at the beginning. So for a lot of families, back to school season brings financial pressure. We wanted to ask you what kind of difference do these backpacks make for the families and kids who receive them?

SPEAKER_01: 2:51

I think these backpacks do more than just provide school supplies. They bring a sense of stability and dignity. For kids who may have experienced homelessness or violence or any other hardships, walking into class with their own backpack filled with supplies can help them feel equal to their peers. It's like a symbol that their community sees them and supports them. And for the parents, it's a huge relief. Knowing their child has the tools to succeed helps reduce the stress of back to school expenses. It's a small but powerful way to give families peace of mind and kids a fresh start.

SPEAKER_00: 3:27

So, Kamaya, I know you've seen a lot of kids and parents come through during the past drives. Can you share a moment that stayed with you?

SPEAKER_01: 3:35

Yeah, absolutely. So one year, a previous resident who has not been a resident for over a year recognized me and thanked me in TBH for all we've done and are doing for the community. She was so excited because she would be starting her senior year of high school the upcoming fall, and because of the backpack drive, she not only got a brand new backpack that she really liked, but she felt well prepared and confident about beginning her final year. It's moments like these that remind me why this work is so important. It's about more than the school supplies. It's about making sure every child feels valued. Knowing that the work we do here at True TVH truly does make a difference, and so much so that people are compelled to express their gratitude, I will always be super grateful to be a part of that in this organization.

SPEAKER_00: 4:21

Wow, so behind the scenes, this sounds like a huge effort. Can you tell us a little bit about what goes into preparing for the drive?

SPEAKER_01: 4:30

Yes, so it definitely takes a lot of coordination. We start months in advance reaching out to donors and community partners to collect backpacks and supplies. We acce both pre-filled backpacks and supplies that the volunteers help us assemble. And once donations start coming in, our team sorts and labels the backpacks by grade level to make sure they're age appropriate. And then volunteers play a huge role in assembling and distributing the backpacks, which really brings the community together.

SPEAKER_00: 4:59

It really sounds like it does, Kamaya. What would you say to someone who's thinking about donating or getting involved in this backpack drive?

SPEAKER_01: 5:08

Well, every donation helps. So whether it's a fully packed backpack or just a few school supplies, it's all welcome. If you're interested in volunteering, you can help assemble backpacks or assist on distribution days. The most important thing is that the backpacks get into the hands of the students who need them. If anyone wants to get involved, they can visit our website or contact the homeless department at homeless at trivalleyhaven.org for more info.

SPEAKER_00: 5:34

Thank you, Kamaya, not just for being here today, but for everything you do to support our families. It's always a joy to work with you.

SPEAKER_01: 5:42

Well, thank you, Sue. I'm grateful to be a part of this team and important work.

SPEAKER_00: 5:52

A huge thank you to Kamaya for sharing all of that. It's such a good reminder that even small actions like donating a backpack can ripple outward and make a big impact. Before we close, I want to return to something we mentioned earlier. What it's like when someone reaches out for help for the very first time. For a lot of people, that moment can be quiet and scary. It might sound like, you know, I don't know if I should be calling, or this might be a weird question, but and that's okay. You don't have to have the words figured out. You don't have to explain everything. You just need to reach out and we'll meet you where you are. At Tri-Valley Haven, we offer support without judgment. And that begins from the very first contact. Whether it's a phone call to our crisis line or a visit to one of our offices, you're not alone in that step. We'll definitely be exploring more about how our crisis line works and the people behind it in a future episode with a guest who answers those calls firsthand. But for now, just know that help is here. If you or someone you know could use support, please visit trivalleyhaven.org or call our 24-hour crisis line at 1-800-884-8119. There's always someone ready to listen. Thank you so much for spending time with us today. And until next time, take care of yourself and take care of each other.