DEARBORN — Leaders Advancing and Helping Communities (formerly the Lebanese American Heritage Club) and ACCESS, in partnership with the Dearborn Police Department, FBI of Detroit and other law enforcement agencies, will distribute a total of 1,500 backpacks to students in need.

By Sept. 15, LAHC volunteers will have passed out 1,200 backpacks filled with school supplies and 2,000 text books to Detroit and Hamtramck students in preparation for the school year.

“It is through these programs that we can provide students with items necessary for their educational advancement,” LAHC Executive Director Wassim Mahfouz said in a letter.

On Thursday, students and parents from six local elementary and middle schools received 300 backpacks and enjoyed games and activities at ACCESS’ headquarters, located in Dearborn’s Southend.

Organized by ACCESS’ School-Based Mental Health Initiative, the event was part of its mission to promote mental health well-being by providing psychological services to individuals and families through the local school system. 

It was also an opportunity for the organization to provide information to community members about the importance of attending to themselves and family members’ mental health needs. 

“One of the primary goals of the School Based Mental Health Initiative is to raise community awareness on the importance of mental health,” said JoAnne Halaweh, coordinator of the School-Based Mental Health Initiative in a statement. “Mental health can be a sensitive topic within the communities we serve, making it a challenge to ensure that both children and adults who are struggling psychologically receive the support they need. By offering educational workshops to school staff and parents, we hope that we can change those perspectives.”