FESTIVAL GETS STUDENTS OFF TO A GOOD START WHO ARE HEADING BACK TO SCHOOL

Alderman Carrie Austin of the 34th Ward collaborated with Phalanx Family Services and hosted a back-to-school festival on July 28, 2017, and provided 1,000 area youth with needed school supplies. Students and their families participated in various activities including free lunches, riding horses, and obtaining job opportunity information at Universal Entertainment Center, location 11901 S. Loomis. Photo Credit: Christopher Shuttlesworth
Alderman Carrie Austin of the 34th Ward collaborated with Phalanx Family Services and hosted a back-to-school festival on July 28, 2017, and provided 1,000 area youth with needed school supplies. Students and their families participated in various activities including free lunches, riding horses, and obtaining job opportunity information at Universal Entertainment Center, location 11901 S. Loomis. Photo Credit: Christopher Shuttlesworth

FESTIVAL GETS STUDENTS OFF TO A GOOD START WHO ARE HEADING BACK TO SCHOOL

By Christopher Shuttlesworth

Alderman Carrie Austin of the 34th Ward, provided back-to-school supplies for 1,000 area youth on July 28, 2017 at Universal Entertainment Center, located on 11901 S. Loomis. Students and their families participated in various activities at the community festival including receiving school materials and immunizations, free lunches, riding horses, and job opportunity information.

Austin said she was glad that local children and families were able to receive the necessary school supplies for the upcoming school year.

“My children and families will now not be short-sided by not having school supplies

for their first day of school,” she said. “At least we were able to provide the students with the

basics and anything else that they will need will come from their teachers to supply them with.”

Austin explained that Phalanx Family Services and Lemuel Austin Youth Foundation

have hosted the back-to-school festival for years, but decided to collaborate with the Alderman’s office to have a bigger impact on local Chicago communities.

Austin said “my office has conducted the same event [for the past three years] so I told Tina Sanders, executive director of Phalanx Family Services, let’s partner together.”

Austin added, “There is no need for Sanders to be giving one thing and me giving something second. So, I am grateful to God for the crowd that we have because between myself and Phalanx Family Services, I believe we have done a fabulous job.”

Sponsors for the event included Mayor Rahm Emanuel’s Office, Chicago Police Department, Chicago Public Health Department, Chicago City Colleges and more.

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