Our 20th Anniversary Back 2 School Fair Got Over 400 Kids Ready for School!

The weather moved us indoors, but that didn't stop us from having a blast!

For 20 years, the Association House Back 2 School Fair has been a vital tradition in Humboldt Park, providing hundreds of students and families with the support they need to make each school year better than the last. This year was no exception: together, we provided backpacks full of new school supplies to over 400 students in our community. Reaching this milestone is the result of some truly inspiring teamwork both within Association House and from our unwavering supporters!

This year's Back 2 School Fair reached 650 kids and their loved ones, topping last year's attendance despite a day full of thunderstorms. This just goes to show the ongoing need for this event: parents are expected to spend an average of $794 per student on back-to-school supplies this year, up 7% from last year. Rain or shine, families in our community count on Association House to set them up for success.

Over a dozen community partners joined us to provide resources for our families.

Over a dozen community partners joined us on August 15 to provide resource information to families, from job search support, to criminal record expungement, to affordable care for pets. This special day embodies the spirit of Association House: one place where Chicagoans can have as many of their needs met as possible.

Even with the stormy weather, we still had a blast saying farewell to summer with an interactive balloon & bubble show, music, snacks, and a raffle featuring brand-new bikes & e-scooters! We loved inviting kids & teens from our neighborhood to celebrate; and especially loved seeing familiar faces another year older and ready to take on a new school year.

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Thanks to everyone who joined us, to our volunteers, and to our corporate and community partners for their support. We'll see you again next year! ■