Ghidaa Al Zorba, center, opens a box with school supplies as her children look on. On Saturday, hundreds of people gathered at Salam Elementary School to receive materials for the classroom but also items like shampoo, toothpaste and food before the school year begins.

Ghidaa Al Zorba, her husband and two children came to the United States from Jordan six years ago, and adjusting to life in a new place was difficult.

“The first year was very hard because we didn’t know anyone here, we didn’t know where the community is, where the kids can play and with who,” Al Zorba said. “So now in the school, they know a lot of friends and this will be easier. Year after year, it will be easier for us.”

On Saturday, Al Zorba brought her two children, now age 7 and 6, and the newest addition, a 1-year-old boy, to Salam Elementary School, 815 W. Layton Avenue, to pick up school supplies and other items like toothpaste, shampoo and winter jackets. The winter jackets especially are a big help for her family.

“I always need to buy jacket, maybe two jackets because the winter here is too long,” Al Zorba said. “So the jacket is the most expensive thing here... this is very helpful.”

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The school year for students at Salam Elementary School starts on Monday. It's a private Islamic school focused on college prep.

Al Zorba with her three children in tow not only received school and home supplies, but also ice cream and had a chance to play in the bounce house.

“We’re having so much fun here,” Al Zorba said. “They’re excited for school.”

Ghidaa Al Zorba, right, opens a box with school supplies as one of her children look on. On Saturday, hundreds of people gathered at Salam Elementary School to receive materials for the classroom but also items like shampoo, toothpaste and food before the school year.

It was the second year of the “Day of Dignity” event, and Sheila Badwan, organizer and executive director of Hanan Refugee Relief Group, said the event was created for families to get items they’ll need before the school year begins.

“There are families who don’t understand how to read or write (English) and they don’t know what school supplies they need,” Badwan said. “So helping them be able to secure those school supplies really takes a burden off of families.”

Hanan works primarily with refugees and immigrants, but the event was open to everyone of all backgrounds and hundreds of people attended.

Badwan said being able to help, even with something as small as providing basic school supplies and hygiene products, can add some relief to the families they serve.

“When you’re coming in from a different country and you have that initial stress and not knowing how you’re going to make it and survive in a new culture, just taking that little piece off is really helpful for the families,” Badwan said. “It’s just really providing that support to the families.”

On Saturday, hundreds of people gathered at Salam Elementary School to receive materials for the classroom but also items like shampoo, toothpaste and food before the school year begins. The event was organized by Hanan Refugee Relief Group.

SEA Literacy, which provides tutoring and mentor services to immigrants and refugees, was one of the vendors on-site providing books to families.

“I think that as an American, we underestimate the need to fit in. And for these kids to have a backpack, a nice backpack, to have school supplies that are new... it gives them a sense of community and they actually do well and progress better in school when they feel like they fit in,” Anne Bingham, SEA Literacy executive director, said. “Instead of feeling like they need to hide.”

While the books were for children, Bingham hopes reading the books will help the parents as much as the kids.

“They’re actually getting a slice of American life that they wouldn’t normally get, that they’re normally not exposed to and so it’s beautiful day, it’s a beautiful event, and I think the people that are here are so supportive of the refugees and underserved, that we all want them to succeed,” Bingham said. “I think that they can feel that when they come into this area. It’s geared toward kids, but it’s also geared toward education and success in the community.”

This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Back-to-school giveaway helps refugee immigrant families adjust