Community Impact Champions: How One Organization’s Back-to-School Initiative Touched Hundreds of Lives
Image courtesy of Creative Change Counseling.
INSPIRING HOPE
BY SHELJA TOURI | On behalf of Creative Change Counseling
In a world where the cost of back-to-school supplies continues to rise, leaving many families struggling to provide their children with basic educational necessities, Creative Change Counseling (CCC) stepped up to transform anxiety into hope.
Their 2025 Back-to-School Supply Giveaway didn’t just distribute over 170 backpacks—it delivered dignity, confidence, and community connection to families across Burlington and Mercer counties.
Creative Change Counseling has long understood that true wellness extends far beyond the therapy room. When Shelja Touri, CCC’s Community Outreach Coordinator, began planning with the Events Committee, this year’s back-to-school initiative, the vision was clear: create an event that addresses the whole child and whole family, not just their immediate supply needs.
“We believe every child deserves to feel prepared and confident as they begin their school year,” explains Touri. This philosophy drove CCC to partner with community organizations and create two comprehensive events that would serve families across multiple counties.
The first event, held on Wednesday, August 27th at CCC’s Hamilton location, exemplified the power of community collaboration. Partnering with Capitol County Children’s Collaborative, the event drew hundreds of families seeking more than just school supplies.
The joint partnership distributed backpacks along with 60 grocery bags and Beanie Babies to families in need. Danielle Eveland from Mercer County CMO reflected on the collaboration, saying “it was a positive experience working with Creative Change Counseling to deliver to the community together.”
The success of this event was made possible through the generous sponsorship of several community partners, including Eve Epic Brokers, Church & Dwight, Girl Scouts of Southern New Jersey, Tone N Fit, and Community Association Underwriters. Additionally, all CCC staff contributed toward making the initiative a success, demonstrating the organization-wide commitment to community service.
Families arrived to find a comprehensive support hub offering professional haircuts, grocery bag donations, free coats for children, engaging activities, and free books alongside the coveted backpacks filled with essential school supplies. The scene was one of organized compassion—staff working seamlessly to ensure every family felt welcomed and supported.
“Watching parents’ relief when they realized their children would have everything they needed for school was incredibly moving,” observed M
Deanna Yates (AVP of Quality Assurance & Control, CCC) who attended both events and is part of the Events Committee. The partnership model proved that when organizations combine resources and expertise, the community impact multiplies exponentially.
The second event, held Saturday, August 30th at The Spot – Teen Development Center in Mt. Laurel, brought a different but equally powerful energy. Large crowds gathered not just for the practical support of backpacks and haircuts, but to experience what modern youth engagement looks like.
The Spot opened its doors wide, allowing young people to explore their cinema room, art room, chill room, gaming room, music room, and pool room. While parents connected with resources and younger children received fresh haircuts from volunteer barbers, teens and tweens discovered spaces designed specifically for their interests and developmental needs.
This approach recognized something crucial: back-to-school preparation isn’t just about supplies—it’s about building excitement, connections, and positive associations with learning and community spaces.
While the statistics are impressive—170+ backpacks from CCC alone distributed, hundreds of families served, multiple services delivered simultaneously—the real measure of success lies in the individual moments of transformation.
Kara Gilbert (Medical Records Coordinator, CCC) who played a key role in both events shared seeing “a single mother who teared up when she realized she wouldn’t have to choose between school supplies and groceries this month. The shy seven-year-old who walked taller after his fresh haircut and new backpack. The teenager who discovered a passion for music in The Spot’s recording studio while his younger siblings got their supplies.”
These moments reflect CCC’s understanding that community support creates ripple effects. When basic needs are met, families can focus on growth, connection, and possibility.
The success of these events highlights a crucial truth about effective community work: partnership amplifies impact. CCC’s collaboration with Mercer County CMO and The Spot created a model that other organizations can replicate and adapt.
By combining CCC’s healthcare expertise and community connections with their partners’ specialized resources and facilities, the events offered comprehensive support that no single organization could provide alone. This approach creates sustainable, repeatable models for community engagement.
While the back-to-school giveaway captured significant attention, it represents just one facet of CCC’s year-round commitment to community wellness. The organization consistently demonstrates that mental health and community health are inextricably linked.
“We don’t just show up in August and disappear,” Touri emphasizes. “This event is part of our ongoing commitment to removing barriers and creating opportunities for the families we serve.”
The success of the giveaway opens doors for expanded programming, deeper community partnerships, and innovative approaches to family support throughout the school year.
As students across New Jersey, returned to school with new supplies, fresh haircuts, and the knowledge that their community cares about their success, they carried more than just backpacks—they carried hope.
Parents have shared photos of their children proudly wearing their new backpacks and sporting fresh cuts. Teachers noticed the confidence boost in students who arrived prepared and excited for learning. Community members witnessed firsthand what’s possible when organizations prioritize service over self-promotion.
CCC’s successful initiative offers valuable insights for other organizations seeking to create meaningful community impact. Start with partnership, not competition—the Hamilton event’s success stemmed from genuine collaboration between organizations with complementary strengths.
Kahreem Cunningham (COO & co-founder) said that “We will always think holistically about family needs, because Combining supplies, haircuts, food, and activities addressed multiple barriers simultaneously,” CCC Create experiences, not just transactions—The Spot’s open facilities transformed a supply distribution into a community celebration. Follow through with sustainable support, as one-time events create goodwill, but ongoing commitment creates transformation.
In an era when communities often feel disconnected and families struggle with increasing economic pressures, Creative Change Counseling’s Back-to-School Supply Giveaway stands as proof that local organizations can create profound change through intentional, partnership-driven community engagement.
The 170+ backpacks collected and distributed from CCC alone in a short period of time represent more than supplies—they represent a community’s commitment to ensuring every child has the tools and confidence needed to succeed. In a world that often focuses on what’s lacking, CCC chose to focus on what’s possible when organizations and communities work together.
As the new school year unfolds, the impact of these events will continue reverberating through classrooms, families, and community relationships. That’s the true measure of success: creating hope that extends far beyond a single day, touching lives and building bridges that strengthen the entire community fabric.
The Spot Hosts alternating weekly groups for youthGuys Chat and Girls Chat weekly all year for ages 11-17.
For information about Creative Change Counseling’s community initiatives, contact Shelja Touri at hello@creativechangeinc.org or visit www.creativechangeinc.org
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