As the start of the school year nears, a governmental agency is helping families learn about the resources available to them to ease the financial strain.

The fifth annual Keisha Baxter back-to-school celebration was hosted Friday by the combined efforts of the Administration for Children’s Services and the East New York Community Partnership Program. The event gives families a fun-filled day where educational information and resources are offered to help prepare families for their child’s schooling.

“We often hear the phrase ‘It takes a village’ to raise a child,” said Rodney Jackson, Borough Commissioner of the Brooklyn East ACS. “This is where all this comes into fruition.”

Veronica Ouedraogo, a mother of four, tells News 12 that ACS has greatly improved her children’s experience at school. She says the agency has helped make sure her kids have the supplies they need and also assisted with connecting her with other assistance programs.

The ACS also spent the afternoon handing out free school supplies and clothing to attendees.