By Lynn Jones – Last week, New Town Success Zone held a community back to school giveaway and healthcare vendor fair. Edward College Sports complex was filled with over 40 vendors promoting local back to school programs, candidate booths and churches spreading the word to students for a new improved healthy and prosperous school year. Hundreds of neighbors, family and friends from the New Town Success Zone were in attendance. Individuals had the opportunity to visit various vendors for blood pressure checks, JEA budget options, healthy family coalition prevention, eye exams, voter registration sign-up, vision and hearing exams, healthy snacks and more! Families living within the New Town Community and surrounding areas all had the opportunity to receive free book bags with school supplies and healthy physicals.
New Town Success Zone is a public/private partnership empowering the urban community bordered by Myrtle Avenue, Kings Road and Beaver St consisting of over 5,000 residents living below the poverty line. “This is the 8th year for the zone’s back to school event. As the director I’m excited to continue the back to school initiative for many of children that do not have the opportunity to receive free school supplies or physicals. I want to thank the community for their support,” said New Town Success Zone executive director George Maxey. Pictured l-r top row New Town Success Zone neighbors, family, friends and supporters with Executive Director George Maxey, Christiananna Wilkerson, Karen Peters, Sandra Duggan, Doug Crescimanno, JSO Officer Shirley Johnson, Major Goggins, JSO Officer Jamesetta Gray, JSO Officer L.E. Thompson and Matt Jornes. Front row: Calvin Cofer, Quinisha Hodge, Quinn Hodge, Tyler Shillingford, Gary Baylock, Jr., Antoniette Johnson and Brian Tamayo.
