In Elk Grove Unified School District, we welcome over 2,000 newcomer students into our schools, a majority of whom were born in Afghanistan. With over 126 languages spoken in Elk Grove, we recognize and support the assets of our multilingual students, staff, and families.  The 4 Newcomer Welcome Centers function as resource-rich community hubs for immigrants and refugees new to the country and the US educational system.  While located in specific regions (based on factors such as population resettlement, ease of transportation, and housing), they are open to ALL newcomer students and families. The centers play an essential role in helping students and their caregivers acclimate by providing wraparound supports, basic needs, family education, and community resource connections, including but not limited to the following: school enrollment, immunizations, bimonthly food distribution, monthly food boxes, hygiene kits, school supplies, home language support, home/school communication, Medi-Cal, caregiver groups. The staff, lovingly referred to as The Welcome Dream Team, is made up of multilingual colleagues, many who have lived the immigrant or refugee experience themselves. The Newcomer Welcome Centers and their staff continue to respond to the basic and deserved needs of our newcomer and refugee community. 

In partnership with EGUSD and Sacramento Food Bank and Family Services, as well as the EGUSD FIRST Foundation, through a Dignity Health Grant, provided a new shipping container storage for the bimonthly food distribution.  These distributions, set up like a farmers' market with fresh produce and protein, provided food to over 21,000 people in the first year!  The Foundation is also working with EGUSD to create a mobile immunization van to bring immunizations and other community resources to families across the 320 square mile district!

These two projects, carried out by the EGUSD FIRST Foundation, have, and will have, an incredible impact on our newcomer families, as well as the entire Elk Grove region!