YES Prep officials said about 350 families had registered for the event, with many more walking in for help with food and essential supplies.
HOUSTON — Hundreds of families lined up early Saturday morning in Houston’s Alief community as YES Prep Public Schools hosted its first-ever “YES Prep Cares” Recovery Fair, an event aimed at helping families still struggling after recent delays in SNAP benefits caused by the recent federal government shutdown.
YES Prep officials said about 350 families had registered for the event, with many more walking in for help with food, essential supplies, and access to community resources.
Isy Castillo, Chief External Officer for YES Prep Public Schools, said the turnout wasn’t a surprise.
“We were unfortunately expecting it, the key is how fast we can respond,” Castillo said when asked about the high demand.
Castillo explained that the district has been working to support families dealing with emergencies, including through a 24- to 48-hour turnaround system for getting supplies where they’re needed most.
She added that meeting basic needs directly impacts student success.
“Food and basic items are a necessity that our families need in order for them to succeed, and if we are not meeting those needs, then our students won’t be successful,” Castillo said.
“We want to make sure we provide the resources comprehensively so our students can win academically.”
YES Prep said it plans to host another recovery event next month if families still need support.
Among those attending the event was Houston mother Marquita Oluteyo, who said her family is still waiting for the remainder of their SNAP benefits to arrive.
“Yes ma’am, it’s going to take a while for things to shift back, but as long as we remain positive that’s the only thing that’s going to keep us going,” Oluteyo said.
Oluteyo, a mom of two young children, said the delay has forced her family to rely on what they saved and on the people around them.
“It has daily,” she said when asked if she had been worried. “But I just tried to remain positive and know that we still have to live each day.”
She said community support has made all the difference.
“I have a village behind me, so we support each other.”
Saturday’s fair included fresh produce, housing and job support, childcare resources, games, raffles, and even performances from school cheerleaders — all designed to bring both relief and joy to families still working to get back on their feet.
For Oluteyo, the event was more than just a resource hub.
“It’s very awesome, a very awesome feeling for families that need, and everyone can come together like they’re doing today and just enjoy themselves while getting the resources they need,” she said.
YES Prep Cares is the district’s new community engagement initiative, which leaders say will continue to expand as long as families need help.
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