COA’s Beyond the Book Bag Event Provides Children and Families with Essential Resources

On Friday, August 21, COA hosted Beyond the Book Bag in Amani’s Moody Park. Beyond the Book Bag is COA’s annual back to school event that provides children and families with the essential resources and school supplies they need for the year ahead. Over 400 families attended the event to connect with community partners, receive supplies, and celebrate the new school year through food, fun, and family activities.

To protect our community which has been disproportionately impacted by coronavirus, this year’s Beyond the Book Bag event saw some changes. Instead of uniting all families in the park for one large celebration, this year’s event was staggered for safe social distancing. Parents registered in advance by selecting a time slot and how many children needed supplies. Families picked up their bags in Moody Park from noon to 3 p.m., then visited resource tables supplied by dozens of community partners.

Beyond the Book Bag has taken on a greater significance in the wake of coronavirus. With distance learning creating new challenges for students and parents, Milwaukee children and families need more support than ever to achieve academic success. This year, more vendors than ever before participated in the event to offer their support.

Children’s Wisconsin donated book bags and CliftonLarsonAllen and Komatsu Mining donated school supplies. Vendors also provided services to help families overcome challenges related to coronavirus. The City of Milwaukee and Milwaukee County provided mental health resources for coping during COVID-19. COA handed out 400 lunches and helped families shop for groceries at COA’s food pantry, thanks to a large donation from Feeding America.

Staff from COA’s Camp Helen Brachman shared information about camp. COA’s HIPPY program handed out hundreds of new children’s books from its “Read Everywhere” library. COA distributed 120 fun and engaging STEM take-home activity kits for kids through the Kohl’s Explore Your Future program.

Community members also pitched in to help. Amani resident Dr. Walker, neighbor to the Goldin Center, provided school supplies. Youth entrepreneurs Lyfe and Princess from COA’s teen program sold handmade masks (“Lyfe Support”) and lip gloss (“for looking cute and feeling confident on the first day of virtual classes!”). The Amani Youth Council recruited teens in their effort to bring greater peace to the neighborhood.

Additional Beyond the Book Bag sponsors and community partners include Safe & Sound, Imagine MKE, Generations of Excellence, Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield, Medical College of Wisconsin, Auer Avenue School, Northwestern Mutual, Samad’s House, Jump at the Sun, Bank on Greater Milwaukee, Aurora Healthcare, and more. Thanks to everyone who made the event a huge success! We’re wishing all Milwaukee children a safe, fun, and enlightening school year!