Laughter filled the lawn as children ran across the grass, holding colorful balloons and wearing bunny ears while music played in the background at Glendale Community College’s Spring Fest on April 3.
The event, organized by the CalWORKs program, brought together students, families and children for an afternoon of activities, food and community engagement on campus.
Starting at 4 p.m., the festival created a welcoming space where families could relax, play and learn about student resources.
Children participated in a variety of activities, including face painting, group games and an egg hunt. Some kids had their faces painted with flowers and animal designs, while others played interactive games like a Plinko-style board or joined group activities on the grass. A colorful parachute game and balloon creations added to the lively atmosphere, while a DJ kept the energy high throughout the event.
“I just love seeing our families come together and share a day in community,” Mirna Najera, academic counselor for the CalWORKs program, said. “We have activities where they can create memories, and their children can connect with each other.”
Food was another highlight of the event, with long tables filled with pizza, pastries and snacks. Guests were served different types of pizza, including cheese, pepperoni and vegetable, along with a variety of baked goods such as muffins and croissants. Some of the food vendors included
Corless Coffee Cart, Big’s Cafe from the Garfield campus and a pizza vendor known as Two Guys from Italy.
Beyond entertainment, the event also focused on providing valuable information for students and families. Several campus programs, including Financial Aid, Admissions and Records, GCC CARES, and EOPS, set up booths to share resources and answer questions. Informational materials about food assistance programs like CalFresh were also available.
“In collaboration, we brought in different programs from Student Services to support our students and help families learn about what’s available,” Najera said.
The event highlighted GCC’s efforts to create a supportive and inclusive environment, not only for students but also for their families. By combining fun activities with access to campus resources, Spring Fest served as both a celebration and an opportunity for connection.
Organizers hope events like this will continue to strengthen the sense of community on campus and encourage future students to feel comfortable and informed about college life.
“We want families to feel welcome here,” Najera said. “Hopefully, their children will grow up knowing about these opportunities and choose GCC in the future.”