School & Youth Stability

EVERY CHILD DESERVES TO START THE YEAR WITH DIGNITY.

Six years, three cities, 18,550+ backpacks — because readiness is not a privilege.

OVERVIEW

Every August, IBTU transforms community spaces into school-readiness hubs where thousands of families access backpacks, school supplies, uniforms, health screenings, haircuts, food, and partner resources. The Back 2 School Festival has grown from a single site to a multi-city operation across Los Angeles, now in its sixth year. In 2025, the festival expanded to three locations — Baldwin Hills Crenshaw Plaza, Venice Beach, and Crenshaw High School — distributing thousands of backpacks plus 100 laptops. This is not a handout. This is the first day of a year-long relationship.

BY THE NUMBERS

18,550+Backpacks Distributed (6yr)

17,500+Total Attendees (6yr)

6Consecutive Years

90+Schools Represented

100Laptops (2025)

190+Community Partners

Families receiving backpacks at the IBTU Back 2 School Festival

Readiness Starts Before the Bell Rings

The Back 2 School Festival is not a one-day event — it is the entry point for families into IBTU's year-round programming. Every child who walks through receives a fully loaded backpack with grade-appropriate supplies. But backpacks are only the beginning. On-site partners provide free health screenings, dental checks, vision exams, and haircuts. Enrollment counselors connect families to resources they did not know existed.

In 2025, the Crenshaw High School Court Dedication distributed 1,000 backpacks and 100 laptops, with 139 families completing on-site service applications. The estimated value of that single event: $174,567.

Aerial view of community members at a Back 2 School distribution site

Three Locations, One Standard

In 2025, IBTU expanded the Back 2 School Festival to three simultaneous locations across Los Angeles. Baldwin Hills Crenshaw Plaza served 2,500+ attendees with 60+ partner organizations and 150+ volunteers. Venice Beach reached 5,000+ community members and served 149 fire-impacted families. Crenshaw High School hosted the Court Dedication.

Every site operates at the same standard. The same quality of resources, the same partner services, the same dignified experience — regardless of zip code. IBTU does not do pop-ups. We build platforms.

Ribbon cutting ceremony at the Crenshaw High School Court Dedication

190+ Organizations. One Standard.

Over six years, 190+ organizations have partnered with the Back 2 School Festival. These are not logo placements. Partner organizations send staff, donate supplies, and run service stations alongside IBTU volunteers. Corporate teams work shoulder-to-shoulder with community members.

17,500+ attendees, 90+ schools, 123+ zip codes. The Back 2 School Festival has become one of the largest community-driven school readiness events in Los Angeles. The work speaks for itself — and the community keeps showing up because IBTU does.

WHO WE SERVE