EDISON – More than 300 families came out to celebrate and prepare for the new 2022-23 school year at a festive Back-2-School event hosted by the Edison Housing Authority.
The special family fun day in August offered residents of all ages from the Julius Engel Gardens and Robert E. Holmes Gardens communities an opportunity to enjoy live music, tasty food, and giveaways including the distribution of hundreds of free backpacks filled with school supplies, according to a press release through the Edison Housing Authority on Sept. 19.
Having free backpacks for students was one of the Edison Housing Authority’s (EHA) primary goals while planning the event, in order to give youngsters a head start on the first day of classes. Over 300 backpacks were provided, along with additional resources, by the EHA, Jewish Renaissance Foundation, Coordinated Family Care, and Kidz Can Corporation, according to the press release.
The EHA also served food and joined Mobile Family Success in offering food pantry items. Mobile Family Success additionally provided raffle baskets, while the Jewish Renaissance Foundation lent support to families who registered in advance for free eye exams and glasses through Optical Academy On-Site Eyecare/On-Site Eyewear, according to the press release.
Various other community partners and service providers were also on hand with valuable information and complimentary products and services for deserving families and youth.
Edison Township representatives staffed the grills and officers from the Edison Police Department helped to organize the celebration and mingle with the community. Guests partied to musical entertainment by DJ Giselle while enjoying free food from Elcha’s Food Truck and free ices from Rita’s Italian Ice.
Youngsters had a chance to look their best for the upcoming first days of school, too, as barbers provided free haircuts to kids and A Freeman’s Place Counseling gave out free hair products for the girls, according to the press release.
Additional resources were distributed by Acelero Head Start, AETNA, Brain Injury Alliance New Jersey, Community Affairs & Resource Center, Horizon Blue Cross/Blue Shield, the YMCA, and the Edison Health Department, who supplied free home COVID tests.
The Back-2-School event was just the latest in a series of educational and entertaining programs held throughout the year by the EHA, a community dedicated to helping all residents reach their greatest potential.
Through a combination of secure and affordable public housing such as Robert Holmes Gardens and Julius C. Engel Gardens, mixed-income housing, and rental assistance, EHA diligently works to improve the lives of low-income residents of Edison, with programs and workshops geared toward assisting them to thrive, become financially self-sufficient, and achieve their goals. The success of these initiatives is made possible through the EHA’s effective partnerships with neighborhood organizations, local and state governments, private sector developers and property owners, and supportive service providers, according to the press release.
The EHA’s full calendar of activities, including the 2022 Back-2-School celebration, is geared toward bringing residents together to socialize with their neighbors and create stronger bonds within the community.
For more information about the EHA, services offered, and upcoming events visit https://edisonha.org/ or contact EHA Executive Director Deborah Hurley at [email protected] or 908-561-2525.