The John Fylpaa Leadership Institute (JFLI) has created a two-day Care Kit Drive in which people can donate supplies for the homeless. The first day of the event was on Tuesday, March 23.
JFLI is a seven-month program at Long Beach City College consisting of 20 students who come together to learn how to become civic leaders through the means of field trips, guest speakers, and community projects.
In this year’s project, JFLI has decided to collect hygienic product donations for the homeless community. They are asking for supplies such as toothpaste, disposable masks, 8 oz water bottles, and more.
The club has had a history of service projects, such as in 2019 when they created the Viking Closet which included toiletries, school supplies, and gently used clothes free for students in need. But this year’s cohort has chosen to focus on a group of citizens who have faced the most challenges.
“The idea was to understand the situation we’re in right now with COVID-19,” said Hazar Diaz, a current JFLI member. She also said, “Who’s one of the most vulnerable populations? The homeless. If they don’t have proper hygiene, they’re at risk.”
In January of 2020, there were reportedly 2,034 people classified as homeless in Long Beach, a 7% rise from the 2019 count.
In the past year as the city has been hit by COVID, members of JFLI, such as Esmeralda Medina, argue that this community of people have been let down by their city.
“Unfortunately, as the pandemic began, we saw… homeless people being kicked out of their area because supposedly they would be a risk to the other neighborhoods. In Long Beach, as well as other cities like LA, [homelessness] got worse,” said Medina. “There was so much vulnerability and instead of helping those people they were just driving them away from their homes.”
On Tuesday, cars lined up at the LAC Campus in Lot 1 and dropped off various requested supplies. This was also occurring while the Viking Vault was having their Grab-n-Go drive, a weekly event where students can pick up free groceries.
Derek Oriee is LBCC’s student activities advisor and serves as leader of JFLI’s 2020-2021 cohort. According to him, the Care Kit Drive’s donations will be going to the Long Beach Rescue Mission as well as to LBCC’s basic needs program.
Although this past year has been unlike any of the previous, the members of JFLI are making an effort to not let this delimit their community service.
“This program started online and has been online since, so it’s very difficult to get to know everyone on a personal level but we’ve made do with what we have access to,” said member Inioluwa Adeoluwa.
The second day of the Care Kit Drive is scheduled for April 13th from 1pm-3pm in Lot 1 of the LAC Campus. JFLI is asking for prepackaged hygienic donations in large zip-close bags.
Any questions regarding the club or the donation drive can be sent to Derek Oriee at doriee@lbcc.edu.