Backpacks and Boosters
Image description: A wide-angle photo of the Backpacks and Boosters event at the UArizona Heath Sciences Innovation Building
Walking by the UArizona Health Sciences Innovation Building on the morning of July 23, I felt the air was thick with late summer heat, but the sounds of commotion and children laughing made it feel a little bit lighter. This was Backpacks and Boosters, an event organized by the UArizona Sonoran Center for Excellence in Disabilities, Arizona Center for Disability Law, and Direct Advocacy & Resource Center. As the name suggests, it was an event for giving out school supplies and vaccinations, designed so that families in the community have everything they need to start the new school year happy and healthy.
As I entered the event and started meeting with people, I could tell the overall atmosphere was friendly and casual. Over a dozen organizations had booths set up at the event, including the Autism Society of Southern Arizona, Casa de los Niños, Raising Special Kids, First Things First, Special Olympics Arizona, SAzAEYC (Southern Arizona Association for the Education of Young Children), Sonoran Center, and more. Most had pamphlets or flyers available for participants to learn more about the organizations and access the resources they offered. People could even register to vote at the ACDL (Arizona Center for Disability Law) booth. Volunteers working the booths were eager to engage with the community. I managed to get myself a nice tote bag and around a dozen assorted flyers and pamphlets. Eegees handed out their signature slushies. The Special Eats food truck, which employs people with disabilities, sold breakfast items and other merchandise. Even with masks on, you could see the smiles on the faces of volunteers and participants alike peeking through.
Of course, the core of the event was the vaccinations. The COVID-19 vaccines and boosters were available at a mobile vaccination unit provided by the Pima County Health Department. A large majority of the vaccines were given to kids between the ages of 5 and 17, but some adults over 18 received vaccines too. Interestingly, only a few were there to receive their first dose with the large majority split evenly between second and third shots. Judging by the turnout, the need for vaccinations was still strong.
While vaccinations were the centerpiece of the event, the community resources available to families were arguably an even bigger draw. “I’m here to get school supplies for my daughter,” said Edith, walking with her elementary school-aged daughter. One booth handing out school supplies ran out by 10:30, only an hour and a half after the start of the event. Luckily, they were able to restock and provide resources for families who showed up later in the morning. Another booth was handing out basic home medical supplies, like toothbrushes and bandages, and they also seemed to hand out most of their items. Clearly, the need for supplies was still strong, likely not helped by the recent surge in inflation.
The FCM community and the Arizona Center for Disability Law came together to provide the school supplies. ACDL donated backpacks filled with school supplies, while FCM contributed large boxes filled to the brim with a variety of supplies they received from faculty and staff in a supply drive. Many exhibitors also offered school and hygiene supplies at their tables.
Image description: A photograph taken on the floor of the Backpacks & Boosters event. Event attendees are observing and interacting with community partners and resources at several booths.
Not only were the organizations at the event able to help the participants, the participants could help the organizations by signing up for studies, projects, and research programs. By doing so, they helped these organizations better serve their communities. For example, the All of Us Research Program was seeking volunteers to add to their database of genetics, which will help inform studies and clinicians about how best to care for the diverse range of people they may encounter. Nosotros was also looking to enroll volunteers for a 2-3 year research study on liver disease.
Every effort was made to make the event as accessible and inclusive as possible. The Arizona Statewide Independent Living Council provided American Sign Language interpreters, and Spanish interpreters were also provided by the ACDL.
Apart from getting families connected with these resources, the organizations themselves saw the event as a perfect opportunity to network with other organizations, and open up the possibility for future collaborations.
One common thread among people I spoke with, organizers and participants alike, was a relief that in-person events are once again possible. Of course, every precaution was taken to make the event as safe as possible. The event was held in an open-air pavilion at the Health Sciences Innovation Building, providing both shade and ventilation. Masks were strongly encouraged, and most people took that to heart.
There were so many opportunities available for parents and organizations, but the heart of the event was the kids. For them, a play area was set up with a giant Connect Four game, a Play-doh area, a drawing area that became something of an impromptu mural, puzzles and blocks, cornhole, and a sensory-sensitive area if it all got too overwhelming. It was clear that this helped keep the kids in good spirits and made taking care of their health a little more fun.
Image description: Photo of a man, girl, and boy with Wilbur Wildcat mask posing for a photo at the Backpacks and Boosters event. A father holds up a frame which mimics a Sonoran Center Facebook post. The girl and boy are also in the frame. A person with a phone takes a photograph of the three.