Starting The Year Off Right

Our annual Back to School BBQ on August 25th was a huge success thanks to our community partners from General Electric, Boston Medical Center, the Museum of Fine Arts and the Boston Police Department. More than 755 of our neighbors attended, including 520 children who received backpacks and other much-needed school supplies that helped them get excited about returning to school.

We had delicious BBQ items: hot dogs, hamburgers, chicken, fresh fruit, snow cones, popcorn and ice cream provided by the BPD Hoodie Truck. Volunteers from the Museum of Fine Arts supplied wonderful arts and crafts and we had three bouncy houses (one for each age group), a talent show with three winning acts, and a game truck to keep everyone entertained.

The best part of the day was the great smiles across our families’ faces — especially when our friends ELMO and Blue paid us a visit and let us take

plenty of selfies with them! Overall, it was a great family-oriented and FUN filled afternoon with all of our extended Whittier family and community. We wish everyone a safe, healthy and successful school year!

Posted by: Yohanna Mendez, LMHC, Community Clinician- Youth Services