CHICA President and Marshall IS graduate, Toiyea Shaw, recently surprised five Marshall Senior students with laptop computers at a socially-distanced celebration at the headquarters of Compton Unified School District. The students were: Marlyn Guzman (Marshall/Dominguez), Jeremiah Hall (Marshall/Compton), Fernando Policarpo (Marshall/Compton), Areiell Rivers (Marshall/Centennial), and Fallon Walker-Brown (Marshall/Centennial).
Shaw founded non-profit organization Chics Helping Inner City Adolescents (CHICA), in October of 2014, when she rose to meet a need in communities. “I saw first-hand the need to improve the programs and resources available to the youth, including simple things such as school supplies. I always wanted to give back and provide resources for children like myself,” said Shaw.

CHICA’s mission is to prepare the youth for the coming challenges in life by providing them with educational resources and teaching them to become future leaders.
​Shaw has a very personal connection to her organization’s mission, one made clear in her personal life story. She began attending Thurgood Marshall Independent Studies during the Fall of 2004. At that time, she had missed a semester of school and was behind 30 credits. However, she also had a strong desire to be the first college graduate in her family and decided to enroll in El Camino College, while at Marshall. She worked diligently to maintain her dual enrollment status until her graduation from Thurgood Marshall IS in the Spring of 2007. That fall she began studies at California State University Dominguez Hills (CSUDH) and a career with Nordstrom. She graduated CSUDH in May 2011 with a degree of Bachelor of Science Business Administration with an emphasis in Marketing. She is currently the Divisional Manager for Beauty and Men’s Grooming.
​The laptop donation truly brings Shaw full circle to her days at Marshall. “As someone who was a struggling inner city adolescent, it is such a pleasure to give back to Thurgood Marshall IS, a place I hold so dear to my heart; a place where a young girl with agoraphobia was able to fulfill her quest of graduating High School on time.”

International Children's Book Day 2025

CHICA Back-to-School 2025: Delivery Day Recap

Thank you to our community, volunteers, and our matching partner Westside Road Service for helping us equip CHICA Scholars with backpacks, supplies—and for select students, new laptops to support learning at home.

Home deliveries brought supplies and smiles across our community.

On August 6, our CHICA team hit the road to bring fully-stocked backpacks and brand new HP laptop directly to students’ doorsteps. Families welcomed us with big smiles, and students were excited to choose backpacks that fit their style and grade needs. Thanks to our generous donors and partner match, we also placed a limited number of laptops with students who shared the greatest need—ensuring they have the tools to research, write, and learn beyond the classroom.

“She was super excited to go through all the items and felt like they were meant just for her—especially the science-themed backpack. Thank you for making her new school experience enjoyable.”

— Parent of a CHICA Scholar

This day was about more than supplies—it was about confidence, readiness, and the message that our students are seen and supported. Thank you for helping us make it happen!

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Photos shared with permission. © CHICA Foundation