Marine Corps Resource Fair Supports Military Families in Yuma

On July 24th, the Marine Corps Community Services hosted its annual school resource fair at Sonolump Ebro, located in Marine Corps Air Station Yuma, Arizona. This event was designed to assist military families as they prepare for the upcoming school year.

According to Candice Brown, the installation’s school liaison officer, the fair saw between 300 and 400 attendees. The goal was to connect military families with local organizations and schools in Yuma County, covering a range of educational options including public, private, chartered, and homeschooling support groups. By providing vital information and resources, the fair aimed to ease the transition for military-connected children and their families, who often face frequent relocations.

In Yuma County, there are over 2,000 military-connected students, primarily from kindergarten to eighth grade. Events like this resource fair are crucial for helping students and their families adjust to new communities and educational systems.

“We also offer backpacks and school supplies to help kick off the shopping process for the new school year,” Brown mentioned. “This is especially beneficial for families who are new to Yuma or just starting school.”

Having coordinated the event since 2020, Brown emphasized the need for strong connections between the installation and local schools. “This gathering is one way to help military families engage with their community,” she explained. “When your family moves around a lot, it can take a while to get acclimated to new schools, organizations, and activities like sports or music lessons, which can help your network grow faster.”

The fair was particularly helpful for new families like the Nunezes, who recently relocated. Yadi Nunez, the wife of a Sergeant, shared that her family moved to Yuma with three school-age kids. “Our move here has been one of the warmest welcomes we’ve experienced,” she noted. “Candice’s emails and resources really eased our transition.”

Nunez also mentioned how the provided school supplies would alleviate some of the financial pressure associated with preparing three children for school. “I’m incredibly thankful,” she added. “Having been part of the Marine Corps family for almost 15 years, it’s hard to think about what will happen once my husband retires and all these resources go away.”

The MCCS School Resource Fair has been an annual event since around 2005, continuing its mission to support Marine families while strengthening community connections throughout Yuma County.