Aug 10, 2022 | 3 min read

Earlier this month, Facing Forward to End Homelessness hosted our annual Back to School Bash for families in our programs. This year's event was an absolute success filled with laughter and joy for students of all ages gearing up for the new school year! On a sunny Saturday afternoon, families met Facing Forward staff and volunteers outside one of our West Side offices to receive high-quality backpacks filled with school supplies and an exciting assortment of free children's books and resources.

Sharing in summer fun, families and staff participated in lawn games, arts & crafts, and line dancing led by our Vice President of Finance, LaShonda Milton! Adding to the excitement, all families who attended the event received free tickets to our raffle which featured gift cards, toys, and free tickets to see the Chicago White Sox. Author and Facing Forward partner, Stuart Baum, also joined in on the fun leading students an interactive story time, encouraging them to use their imagination and creativity.

Initiatives like our Back to School Bash bring to life our Two-Generation Model which promotes growth and stability for all members of the households we serve. Through events, our Family Empowerment Team, and programs such as Home Connections, Facing Forward serves children and families by providing access to housing, basic needs, healthcare, case management, and other essential resources. By ensuring that the children and young adults that we serve have the tools needed to access academic and employment opportunity, we can help end generational cycles of homelessness in our community together.

This year, Facing Forward was able to provide school supplies for over 200 students, thanks to our supporters and the help of our community partners Alpha Kappa Alpha, Presbyterian Church of Western Springs, and Open Books.

Thank you so much to our staff, volunteers, and the incredible supporters who made this event possible through their generosity!

Want to support students in our programs? Become a Facing Forward donor and support a brighter future for all the families we serve.