We’re still feeling the love from the Back-to-School Fair at Chicago Kedzie Plaza!
Bringing West Humboldt Park together for a family-filled afternoon of fun, connection, and community was truly special. From backpacks and food to free haircuts and pony rides, the event was filled with smiles and memorable moments. We’re already looking forward to next year!
A big thank-you to all the volunteers, community organizations, partners, and supporters who helped make this event such a success. Your time, energy, and commitment made a meaningful difference for families throughout the neighborhood.
Now, let’s take a look back at some of the highlights that made this year’s Back-to-School Fair such a joyful day for the community.
A Day to Remember: Filled with Joy & Community
Our annual Back-to-School Fair at Chicago Kedzie Plaza was one to remember! Despite the weather, it was an incredible afternoon filled with smiles, fresh haircuts, pony rides, backpacks, and families coming together to celebrate the new school year. Seeing the West Humboldt Park community connect, celebrate, and enjoy the day made all the hard work worthwhile.
Thank you to everyone who joined us and helped make this special event possible. We’re grateful for the memories, the smiles, and the incredible community spirit that made the day so memorable.
Here are a few of our favorite moments from this year’s Back-to-School Fair:
The Teams Behind the Event
A special thank you to the organizations and community leaders who helped make this year’s Back-to-School Fair possible: Matanky Realty Group, Alderman Walter “Red” Burnett Jr., C.A.P.S., and the West Humboldt Park Development Council.
Your support, partnership, and commitment to the community played an important role in bringing this event to life and creating a memorable day for families throughout West Humboldt Park.
A Big Round of Applause for Our Volunteers & Community Partners
The Back-to-School Fair is a wonderful opportunity to bring our community together, and it would not be possible without the incredible support of local organizations and nonprofits.
This year’s event featured our largest group of participating community organizations yet, including the YWCA, Polaris Elementary Charter School, and West Humboldt Park Development Council. Their presence, resources, and commitment helped make the day even more meaningful for families throughout the neighborhood.
We extend our heartfelt thanks to all of our community partners for helping make this event a success. We look forward to continuing to build these partnerships and working together to make an even greater impact in our communities.
Organizations that contributed to this year’s event
YWCA Metropolitan Chicago
Chicago Public Schools
Chicago Early Learning (CEL)
A City of Chicago initiative connecting families with free and affordable preschool and early childhood education programs.
YMCA Garfield Park
The Y provides before- and after-school care, summer camps, youth sports, and wellness programs that empower children of all ages to thrive, grow, and reach their full potential.
Polaris Elementary Charter Academy
A K-8 charter school in West Humboldt Park that fosters a literacy-rich learning environment through engaging, hands-on approach, empowering students to become confident, lifelong learners.
Chicago Commons
The second-largest Head Start and Early Head Start provider in Chicago, empowering children, families, and communities to overcome poverty and systemic barriers through high-quality early childhood education and support services.
Distinctive Schools & CICS Bucktown
Distinctive Schools is a nonprofit charter school network in Chicago operating several schools, including CICS Bucktown, focused on innovative academics, STEM education, personalized learning, and creating pathways for student success.
West Humboldt Park development council
A City of Chicago delegate agency dedicated to advancing West Humboldt Park through community-driven projects, strategic partnerships, and programs that support local growth and empowerment.
A Few Special Shoutouts to Those Who Went Above & Beyond!
Noble Tech Cutz LLC
A huge thank you to Alexander Fowles, Stephanie Lightburn, DeAngelo Bennett, and Christopher McDonald for spending the entire fair providing free haircuts to children in our community.
Their dedication to giving dozens of children fresh cuts, renewed confidence, and even bigger smiles before the school year began was truly one of the day’s highlights. We’re incredibly grateful for the time, talent, and care they shared with our community.
About Them
Led by Alexander Fowles, the team brought years of hands-on experience and professional barbering expertise to the Back-to-School Fair. With experience working with every hair texture, Alexander understands the importance of skill, versatility, and quality care.
That real-world experience became the foundation for The Barber Balm, a brand built from his passion for barbering and commitment to helping others look and feel their best.
Greater West Town Project
A big thank you to Keith Muhammad and the entire GWTP team for partnering with us once again to make the fair a success!
From providing hot dogs, chips, and refreshments for children and families to being there and contributing throughout the afternoon, your support made a lasting impact on the West Humboldt Park community. We’re incredibly grateful for your continued partnership, generosity, and commitment to serving communities.
About Them
GWTP’s mission is to build a community-based response that expands educational and economic opportunities for low-income communities of color throughout Chicago, including West Humboldt Park. Through its work, GWTP trains and supports community residents and dislocated workers, helping connect them with sustainable employment opportunities and pathways toward greater economic stability.
Thank you Everyone!
Once again, we cannot thank you enough for your attendance and support at this year’s Back-to-School Fair. Your contribution played an essential role in making the event such a success.
We are truly grateful for your generosity, time, and commitment to our community. Your support helped create a memorable day for families across the neighborhood and made a meaningful difference.
Looking Ahead
We’re already excited to do it all again next year! But we can’t make it happen without the continued support of our amazing community.
If you’d like to get involved or learn more about next year’s event, we’d love to hear from you. Reach out to our Marketing Team at marketing@matanky.com to learn how you can be part of making next year’s Back-to-School Fair another memorable day for the West Humboldt Park.