Throughout August, Gads Hill Center welcomed families to Back-to-School events at our social services center sites on Chicago's South, West, and Southwest sides, helping students across our communities start the new school year prepared.

With support from our partners, donors, staff, volunteers, and program participants, we distributed hundreds of backpacks and school supplies while bringing families together for food, activities, giveaways, and connections to local resources.

At the Bash

In North Lawndale, participants in our My Chi, My Future youth program helped support the neighborhood backpack giveaway—giving young people an opportunity to take an active role in serving their own community.

At our Pilsen event, families stopped by for backpacks, hot dogs and snacks, along with pizza donated by Little Caesars. Platinum Fades Pilsen provided haircutting services, the Field Museum contributed giveaways, and kids joined in face painting and other activities throughout the event.

More than a school-supply distribution, each event gave neighbors and community members a chance to spend time together, meet GHC staff, and learn more about the programs and services available to families throughout the year.

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From early childhood education and home visiting to after-school programs, teen programming, mental health services, and family resources, Gads Hill Center works with children and families across Chicago at every stage.

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Ready to Learn

School supplies are a significant recurring expense for families. By making backpacks and essential supplies readily available, these events help remove one more barrier as children head back to the classroom ready to learn.

They’re also an important part of how we stay connected to our neighborhoods. Families who stop by for a backpack may leave knowing about a youth program, early childhood classroom, family service, or another resource they didn’t know was available to them.

Thank You

Our annual Back-to-School efforts are possible because of the donors, community partners, volunteers, staff, and participants who contribute supplies, services, food, time, and energy to make them happen.

Special thanks this year to Little Caesars, Platinum Fades Pilsen, the Field Museum, and the young leaders participating in our My Chi, My Future program who helped make these events welcoming, useful, and fun for the families in our community.

These events are part of Gads Hill Center’s broader Community Wellness work: meeting families where they are, connecting neighbors to resources, and providing direct support in the communities we serve.

We Can't Do It Alone

Support Gads Hill Center and help make community events like these possible.

We're so proud of our childrens services and youth services department teams for their hard work in coordinating with the families, organizations, businesses, and young people who make our neighborhoods stronger—and for helping our community's students step into another school year confident and prepared.