Back-to-school season is supposed to be exciting. New backpacks, new teachers, reconnecting with friends. But for families who are stretched thin, it can feel more stressful than exciting, especially when budgets are tight and summer has been a juggling act of childcare, work, and everything in between.
That's exactly the gap the Strong and Stable Families Work Group of the Health and Human Services Collaborative (HHSC) is stepping in to fill, and United Way of the Eastern Panhandle is proud to help support their efforts.
A New Way to Tell Our Story
This blog is part of a new effort at United Way to bring you more of the stories behind our work, the partnerships and opportunities that exist because of your support. To kick things off, we sat down with Brittany Doyle, co-chair of the Strong and Stable Families Work Group and a Veteran Services Coordinator at Telamon, to talk about an upcoming Back-to-School event that's all about relieving that end-of-summer stress.
What the Event Provides
The Back-to-School Community Resource Fair is happening on August 19, in partnership with the Housing Authority and several other local organizations. Families attending can access:
- Backpacks
- Deodorant
- Socks
- Free haircuts for kids heading back to school
- Other resources from partner organizations
Why the Day Before School?
The timing isn't an accident. As Brittany put it:
"We understand that families are busy. Families over the summer are trying to balance childcare, work, budgeting, and to make it easier for them, we have the event the day before school. That way, it's kind of like a last minute support for families that may need it."
Who Can Come
The event is open to any family in Berkeley, Morgan, or Jefferson County. It will be held at the Adam Stephens Apartments, located at 26 Wilson St. in Martinsburg, from 5-7 pm. And there's no need to sign up ahead of time. Brittany recommends bringing your kids if you can, especially if they'd benefit from services like the free haircuts.
A Partnership That Makes It Possible
None of this happens without collaboration. Brittany was clear about the role United Way plays:
"The United Way is a big partner with us along with the Housing Authority for our Back to School event. Without our partnership with the United Way, this event would not be made possible."
Want to Get Involved?
If you're part of a nonprofit, school, or work in a role like guidance counselor, social worker, or teacher in Berkeley, Jefferson, or Morgan County, consider joining the Strong and Stable Families Work Group. Meetings are virtual, held on the third Tuesday of every month at 9 a.m. Reach out to Brittany to get added to the list.
United Way of the Eastern Panhandle is a founding partner of the Health and Human Services Collaborative (HHSC) which was established specifically to identify unmet needs in our community and find long-term solutions to meet them. This Back-to-School event is a great example of that mission in action. Put the next HHSC quarterly meeting on your calendar to learn more about all of the different work groups and the ways you can be part of this ongoing effort – join us at 9 am on September 11 at the WV Department of Human Services in Martinsburg!
United is the Way to create opportunities that all may thrive!