Evanston Cradle to Career Advocates for Action, partners sponsor back-to-school event

To help connect youth and their families to community resources, information, and support before the start of the 2021–2022 school year, the Evanston Cradle to Career (EC2C) Advocates for Action, with support from Evanston/Skokie School District 65, Evanston Township High School, the Giving Storeroom, and the City of Evanston, will host a back-to-school event in August.

Back to School Back to the Future will take place from 12 to 4 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 21 at Mason Park (Church St. and Florence Ave. Evanston, IL 60201). Conceived and organized by the Evanston Cradle to Career Advocates for Action, the event will aim to inform the District 65 and District 202 school communities about local resources, after the proverb “If you give a man a fish, you feed him for a day. If you teach a man to fish, you feed him for a lifetime.” Participating organizations will host tables with youth activities and a “Catch of the Day” with resources for caregivers. Giveaways and raffle items will include menstrual products, hair care items, lunch bags and parent packs among other items.

Local author, ETHS alumna (’09), and family support specialist Juleya Woodson will participate in a book signing and hourly readings of her 2021 picture book I Hope They Understand, about celebrating racial and cultural differences. The book is included in the District 65 curriculum and is a valuable conversation starter for young readers and their caregivers about acceptance and the beauty of every child.

“This event is important to bring our community together,” EC2C Advocate Taishiya Nix. “In a time of division, some physical, some behavioral or emotional, it’s important to start the steps to healing, collaboration and mutual respect of our fellow community members.”

As a community-led, community-centered event, Back to School Back to the Future will be a special opportunity for students and caregivers to get some much-needed fun, resources and support before the new school year.

Evanston Cradle to Career is a collaborative partnership of more than 40 organizations and 150 community members who aim to be a catalyst for change by addressing systems that affect and undermine children and families in Evanston. For more information about EC2C, visit evanstonc2c.org.