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Last month, Greater Louisville Head Start hosted its annual Back-to-School event, a celebration that brought together families, local organizations, and the broader community in preparation for the new school year. Held at Dixie Antioch Baptist Church, the event offered families not only school supplies but also access to essential resources and services – all while creating a fun, family-friendly atmosphere.

A Day Filled with Support and Fun

One of the main highlights of the event was the distribution of backpacks filled with school essentials. Head Start prepared 200 backpacks, each thoughtfully packed with paper, pencils, dry erase markers, crayons, large pencils, pencil holders, sharpeners, markers, books, coloring books, clipboards, and construction paper. These backpacks were a lifeline for families getting their children ready for school, and by the end of the event, 170 backpacks had been given out to grateful families.

The turnout was impressive, with 230 people signing in throughout the day. In addition to receiving supplies, five new families began the enrollment process for Head Start’s home-based services, further expanding the program’s reach to more families in need.

Building Community Connections

The event also brought together 17 vendors offering a variety of services and resources to families. The Women’s League of Voters, Healthy Start, Lead Prevention, and insurance carriers like Passport and Anthem were among the many organizations present to provide valuable information. Representatives from FedEx were there recruiting potential employees, highlighting opportunities for career growth within the community.

For the kids, the day was packed with excitement. Farmer Steve delighted the crowd with his goats, chickens, and ducks, while two bouncy houses and a small roller coaster kept the energy high. Families enjoyed a festive atmosphere with live music, food, snow cones, and interactive activities. The Shively Fire Department and Louisville Metro Police Department added to the day’s excitement with their presence, building strong community ties. To top it all off, raffles were held throughout the event, with lucky winners receiving gift cards.

A Positive Step Forward

The Back-to-School event was not just a day of fun—it was a demonstration of Greater Louisville Head Start’s commitment to supporting the families in our community. From the well-stocked backpacks to the vendors offering valuable resources, the day was an example of how Head Start is more than just a preschool program. It’s a network of support for families, offering education, health services, and home-based care for income-eligible households.

Families were also able to connect with Head Start’s family advocates and home-based service providers, who were on hand to answer questions and offer guidance for those interested in the program. The event served as a platform for curious families to learn more about how Head Start can make a meaningful difference in their lives.

Looking Ahead

Thanks to generous donations to the Fill the Bus campaign and the excellent turnout this year, Greater Louisville Head Start is already planning for next year’s event. In 2024, the program aims to go beyond just giving out backpacks and will expand the offerings to provide even more resources and services to families in need. The success of this year’s event is a testament to the power of community and the unwavering support that Head Start continues to provide.

Stay tuned for more updates as we continue to uplift and empower families throughout Louisville!