ACS Prepares Nearly 900 Children for the New School Year
Through a series of back-to-school outreach initiatives during August 2026, the Northeastern Conference Adventist Community Services (NECACS) and its partners provided assistance to 894 children, highlighting an enduring dedication to offering practical aid, bolstering families, and serving local communities with genuine compassion.
Dr. Mario Augustave, Director of Adventist Community Services for the Northeastern Conference, reflected on the purpose of these back-to-school giveaways, noting that they remain vital in addition to the department’s ongoing, year-round services.
“We want to make sure that our neighbors know that we care. We do these giveaways because there is a need for many parents now who are challenged economically. As a Conference we have to be compassionate and be ready to assist our communities in whatever way we can. Many of our churches do this regularly and that is the core of this ministry.”
In collaboration with New York Disaster Interfaith Services (NYDIS) and Elements House on August 19 and 20, NECACS distributed school supply kits to students from Pre-K to Grade 10. This initiative equipped 500 youth on the first day and another 250 on the second, ensuring families had essential items for the start of the academic year.
Pictured above – Children recieving back to school kits at the Bronx Seventh-day Adventist Church.
Community outreach efforts persisted on Wednesday, August 26, 2026, as the Northeastern Conference Community Services Center conducted its Annual Back-to-School Giveaway. Over the course of the four-hour event, 144 children were assisted. Among these, 90 children received backpacks stocked with seven to eight educational supplies each. The youth were supplied with fresh fruit and juice, and parents were provided with fresh produce and dry goods for their households.
Generous community contributions and local partnerships significantly enhanced the event, which was sponsored by the Northeastern Conference. The initiative received roughly 1,000 in-kind educational items, as well as 50 backpacks provided by Sergeant Ellen McKenzie—a dedicated supporter who has partnered with NECACS ministry efforts for a decade.
Expressing the motivation behind her decade of contributing to the ministry, Sergeant McKenzie shared, “I simply want to bring joy to a child’s face. I feel that sharing is caring, and every single one of us should strive to help at least one person.”
In addition, health resources were made available to families through Oak Street Health and United Healthcare and Target supplied the grocery bags utilized to hand out items during the giveaway event.
Throughout the event, Antonio Auguste, retired certified parenting skills trainer, led six short sessions focused on helping students and families prepare for the upcoming school year.
Isaiah 43:2 God promises, “When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze.”
Photos by Dr. Keicha Villafana, Assistant Adventist Community Services Director and Center Manager, Northeastern Conference.
Editor – Lavern Sturrup, Communications Department.
