CAMBRIDGE, Md. — A Dorchester County non-profit hosted its 10th annual Back to School Readiness event on Monday, providing school supplies, haircuts, clothing and other resources to families ahead of the new school year.
Eastern Shore Wellness Solutions, a Cambridge-based non-profit focused on community health education and training, served an estimated 1,300 students and families at this year's event, according to President and CEO Ashyrra Dotson — up from about 1,100 last year.
For some families, the event eased financial pressure heading into the school year.
"It definitely helps being a single mother, just being able to get the extra resources and the extra help, especially if you're low income," Chelsie Rowe said. "It definitely helps to get back to school."
Lamesha Dockins of Cambridge, said the event's offerings helped her with additional costs this year.
"I feel lighter," Dockins said. "I got seven kids. So this helps out a lot, especially with the school supplies and the fact that basically everybody is in uniforms."
In addition to school supplies, Eastern Shore Wellness Solutions, a Cambridge-based non-profit, provided free haircuts and styles.
Dotson said the event is about more than just supplies — it's about ensuring students feel confident about themselves headed into the school year.
"It's all about allowing people to stay in their dignity," Dotson said. "And so that's what we want to do. We want to make sure that when they return to school, they look good. They feel good."
Dotson estimated the combined value of services like haircuts and school supplies at roughly $70 to $100 per student.
Eastern Shore Wellness Solutions is entirely grant funded, according to Dotson. Beyond the annual back-to-school event, the organization addresses broader social determinants of health, including transportation, education, housing and chronic disease management.
Dotson, who was born and raised in Dorchester County, said her decision to return home after college was shaped by seeing community members in need of support.
"I saw that's one of the reasons why I came back," Dotson said. "I left to go to college, got my degrees, and then I returned home to see so many people in my community that just needed help... People reached out and they said, 'We need somebody that looks like us, supporting us in the community.'"
Transportation to the event was provided through the Dorchester County Public School System.
In addition to supplies and services, families had access to community resource tables at the event, including representatives from the Dorchester County library system and the city of Cambridge, along with mental health services and food resources.
The number of vendors the non-profit was able to host also doubled this year to 22.
Looking ahead, Eastern Shore Wellness Solutions says it hopes to expand its offerings next year to include sports physicals and vaccinations.
