Back to School Drive
Back-to-School Drive: A Celebration of Growth
At CASA Essex, we believe that being prepared is powerful. When children in foster care show up to school equipped with the supplies they need, they can focus on learning, growing, and thriving — just like their peers. Over the past five years, our Back-to-School Drive has grown into a community tradition, ensuring that year after year, our youth walk into classrooms ready to succeed.
This year, thanks to the extraordinary support of donors and community partners, more than 500 foster youth in Essex County started the school year prepared and confident — with backpacks full of supplies and the knowledge that their community believes in them.
We are deeply grateful to everyone who contributed to this effort. Your generosity not only provided essential school supplies but also gave our children the dignity and encouragement they deserve as they step into the classroom.
Check out our archive of pictures below to see CASA advocates picking up supplies and preparing to deliver them directly to the children they serve, making this year’s Back-to-School Drive a tremendous success.
Together, we are building momentum for the next five years — and beyond.
Pictures 2025
PICTURES 2024
2023 Pictures
2022 Pictures
2021 Pictures
2020 Pictures
Holiday Toy Drive
Holiday Gift Drive 2024
The 2024 holiday season was infinitely brighter for our youth in foster care thanks to the support from our surrounding community! Not only did we receive gift donations from all across America from our Amazon Wish List, but this year also saw the initiation of our holiday giving trees!
A huge thanks to Essex Tech High School and Hub Group Trucking Company for allowing us to set up these inaugural holiday trees! They were such a success!
Our community was exceptionally generous this year - showing a level of support that we are still in awe of!
a massive thank you to: St. Michael’s School, Verona Girl Scouts, NJ Spelman Alumnae, Rutgers RCTLJ, Seton Hall University, Local ILA1233, NJIT, Wendy’s, Congregation Agudath, Concerned Persons for Adoption, O’Toole Scrivo LLC, Foster Club at Westfield High, BHG Coccia Realty, Maher Terminals, Financial Guide, Rutgers CARES, Yoga Six, & Maplewood Bike Shed.
It is because of these amazing donors that over 350 youth in foster care were able to have a warm and wonderful surprise for the holidays!
