The City of Gary, Community HealthNet and Covering Kids hosted its Annual Back 2 School Health Fair and Supply Giveaway…C.H.A.S.E (Combing Health And School = Education) on Saturday, August 13, 2016 at Gary’s RailCats stadium.
The Back 2 School event is one of the largest inclusion health care and resource fairs in our community. The city-wide event is designed to provide a one-stop-shop for families preparing their children to return to school after the summer break.
Families attending were able to take advantage of the resource vendors that provided medical, dental, vision, developmental and mental health screenings; as well as opportunities to participate in educational workshops to improve the overall health and wellness of our students. Many families were also able to obtain physicals for their children and to receive needed immunizations provided by the Gary Health Department. More than 100 youth received immunizations and physicals. In addition, the fair provided families enrollment opportunities for students to attend area schools and for enrollment in health insurance.
Students were excited to receive book bags and school supplies from the many vendors. The Back 2 School event successfully provided over 700 students with school supplies. While the goal is to assist families that may experience financial hardship, all Gary students K-12 attending received school materials.
Mayor Karen Freeman-Wilson stated, “We started the Back 2 School event and the partnership with Community HealthNet and Covering Kids to enable us to provide more children and youth with the tools essential for a successful school year. Each year we have been pleased with the turnout and with the progress we are making. The event allows us the opportunity to assist the young people not only with the academic needs, but as well with health and wellness.”
Organizers thanked the sponsors and participants: Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield, Kool Smiles, Goddess Mentors, Lil Lou’s Beauty and Barber College, MD Wise, managed Health Services, Centier Bank, Ultra Foods, R&KJ Productions, Cecil Real Estate, Powers and Sons Construction Co, Tolbert and Tolbert LLC, Brady’s This Is It, Restaurant Management Corp-McDonald’s, Coach USA Indiana and Auto Savage for their continued support.
