July 2023 – Local Author School Supply Giveaway and Community Engagement

By: Tamika Burgess, Author, Educator, Speaker

July 2023 marks the third year I have partnered with Community Outreach Ministry (COM) to provide backpacks and school supplies to children in need. Ensuring children are adequately prepared for school so they don’t fall behind is important to me. By setting these children up for a successful school year, I am able to incorporate something I love, education, with meeting the needs of others.

As a lifelong learner, I understand the importance of being prepared and how it can help you achieve your goal. This happened in my own life when I decided to prepare myself to be an author. Preparation came by working on my writing skills, attending classes and conferences, and reading the writing of authors who I admire. That preparation led to the release of my debut novel, Sincerely Sicily, earlier this year. The book is a captivating and empowering story about Sicily Jordan—a Black Panamanian fashionista who rocks her braids with pride—who learns to use her voice and take pride in who she is while confronting prejudice in the most unexpected places.

In addition to providing school supplies for children, my book release has given me several opportunities to interact with my community by speaking about my writing career at schools and libraries and showing kids they, too, can follow and achieve their creative desires. I am excited about all the future opportunities to interact with and help children. With this, I am thankful to Community Outreach Ministry for allowing me to play a part in their goal of giving at-risk kids a second chance to be winners and champions. To learn more about Tamika Burgess, visit her website: Tamika Burgess – Middle Grade Author

The nonprofit ministry welcomes readers to visit its website where donations can also be made at www.communityoutreachministry.org. Checks may also be mailed to the organization and made payable to “Community Outreach Ministry” at 23905 Clinton Keith Road, Suite 114 #116, Wildomar, California 92595. Feel free to contact the Davies via email at info@communityoutreachministry.org or by phone at 951-698-7650 (office) or via cell phone at 951-231-5515.