As Kalamazoo Public School students prepare to step into their second month of school, they have a community of support that launched them into a successful year of learning.
On Saturday, August 17th, the Beyond the Backpack School Readiness Fair took place at Bronson Park. Hosted by Collaboration Kalamazoo, the fair, designed to increase school readiness for students, was a huge success. 
More than 1,100 in attendance, families were able to learn about community resources available in literacy, dental and other health supports, and more. From free glasses to free backpacks and supplies, with the support of our community and collaborating together, more students are on the path to success this school year.
Collaboration Kalamazoo is composed of Bible Baptist Church, Charlie’s P.L.A.C.E., Communities In Schools of Kalamazoo, The Kalamazoo Promise, and Kalamazoo Public Schools. “This year’s event,” said CIS Senior Director of Community Engagement & Student Investment Artrella Cohn, “was a tremendous showing of what it looks like when the community brings its knowledge and resources together for the betterment of students and their families.”
The Collaboration Kalamazoo team members: Alexia Jones of The Kalamazoo Promise, Nkenge Bergan of Kalamazoo Public Schools, Artrella Cohn of Communities In Schools of Kalamazoo, TaKarra Dunning of Charlie’s P.L.A.C.E., and Yolonda Lavender and Kandace Lavender of Bible Baptist Church.
With more than 1,100 individuals in attendance, families were able to learn about literacy supports in the community, access dental education and additional health resources, including mental health education, immunizations, sign up for health insurance, and more. In partnership with Hiemstra Optical and VSP Vision Care, 34 students were served on the Mobile Vision Unit, with 27 receiving glasses. 
Students also benefited from free haircuts and fresh hair styles from area barbers and stylists. The event provided free and much needed backpacks for students, but certainly went “Beyond The Backpack” to prepare students for a successful school year.
The 2019 financial sponsors for this event included: Communities In Schools of Kalamazoo (CIS), Kalamazoo Community Foundation, The Kalamazoo Promise, Kalamazoo Public Schools, Old National Bank, and YWCA Kalamazoo.
In-Kind Donors included: The Presidential Blend Suite, Charlie’s P.L.A.C.E., City of Kalamazoo, Exquisite Hair Design, First Baptist Church of Kalamazoo, First Congregational Church, First United Methodist Church of Kalamazoo, GQT Kalamazoo 10, Gordon Water Systems, Hiemstra Optical, Johnny Jackson (barber), Kalamazoo Promise Scholars, Life EMS, Marshall Music Company, Rentalex, Terry Watson (barber), UncLee’s Barber Shop, and VSP Vision Care.
- Participating organizations that joined forces with Collaboration Kalamazoo (Bible Baptist Church, Charlie’s PLACE, Communities In Schools of Kalamazoo, The Kalamazoo Promise, and Kalamazoo Public Schools), included: ASK Family Services, Bronson Methodist Hospital, Family Health Center, Family & Children Services, Hiemstra Optical, Kalamazoo Literacy Council, Kalamazoo Loaves & Fishes, Kalamazoo Public Library, Kalamazoo Valley Community College, KydNet, Prevention Works, Read and Write Kalamazoo, SLD Read, Smile Savers, Southwest Childcare Resources, VSP Vision Care, Western Michigan University, YMCA of Greater Kalamazoo, and YWCA Kalamazoo.
Thanks to each and every one of you for surrounding students with support and launching them into a successful school year.
Check out this short video capturing some of the 2019 Beyond the Backpack School Readiness Fair: https://youtu.be/CboCKgoXU6o
Tags: Alexia Jones, Artrella Coh, Bible Baptist Church, Blendz by Dre, Bronson Methodist Hospital, Charlie's P.L.A.C.E., Charlie’s PLACE, China Pierre The Female Barber, City of Kalamazoo, Communities In Schools of Kalamazoo, community helping with learning readiness, Exquisite Hair Design, Family & Children Services, Family Health Center, First Baptist Church, First Congregational Church, First United Methodist Church of Kalamazoo, Gordon Water Systems, Hiemstra Optical, included: ASK Family Services, Johnny Jackson, Kalamazoo Community Foundation, Kalamazoo Literacy Council, Kalamazoo Loaves & Fishes, Kalamazoo Promise Scholars, Kalamazoo Public Library, Kalamazoo Public Schools, Kalamazoo Valley Community College, Kandace Lavender, KydNet, LIFE EMS, Marshall Music Company, Nkenge Bergan, Old National Bank, Prevention Works, Read and Write Kalamazoo, Rentalex, SLD Read, Smile Savers, Southwest Childcare Resources, TaKarra Dunning, Terry Watson, The Kalamazoo Promise, UncLee's Barber Shop, VSP Vision Care, Western Michigan University, YMCA of Greater Kalamazoo, Yolonda Lavender, YWCA Kalamazoo
