Back-To-School Fair Comes Back To Fair Haven

The following write-up was submitted by Elm City Communities/Housing Authority of New Haven about a back-to-school fair that took place at Clinton Avenue School on Aug. 1.

Elm City Communities/Housing Authority of New Haven’s (ECC/HANH) annual Back to School fair returned in-person this year after three years of remote and drop off events.

Cotton candy, popcorn, face-painting, a photo booth, and games galore made one of the coolest days of the summer that much nicer at Clinton Avenue School with hundreds in attendance throughout the day.

In addition to the fun and games, students received book bags and other school supplies in preparation for a new school year.

“I’m excited about going back to school, looking forward to it,” said Jayanna Pullen, 10, who said she enjoyed the fair. ​“I’m going into the fifth grade and all my teachers have been nice so I’m looking forward to my fifth grade teacher being nice, too.”

The fair was the culminating event in a series of summer learning events ECC planned for residents, dedicated to elevating the importance of keeping kids learning, safe, and healthy every summer, and ensuring they return to school ready to succeed in the year.

“I think they do a great job in helping residents with a lot of different things and they do good work for the community,” said Nakesha Alford who joined the event alongside a larger gathering of family and friends. ​“I know I am grateful for the opportunities they give teenagers. Even at 13-and-14 years old, they give them knowledge to become better people and leaders in the community and just overall, as human beings.”

The event was made possible through the organization’s ECC Believes! programming, a coordinated effort to support children and youth’s positive social-emotional and educational development geared toward developing self-sufficient adults.

In line with ECC/HANHs commitment to make a positive difference in the lives of residents of the City of New Haven, a number of vendors participated in the event to offer services and resources to attendees.

Vendors included Integrated Wellness Group, Clifford Beers, Community Action Agency, 123 OMS, and the Early Head Start Program of the United Way. Information on ECC/HANH Programs including the organizations CARES program, homeownership, adult services and youth services were also available.

The event, residents said, was also an opportunity to highlight some of the successes they’ve witnessed in a variety of ways within the ECC/HANH community. Take Tyrek Solomon, a recent graduate of North Branford High school, who was helping out at the fair.

“ECC helped me gain valuable work experience and there are a lot of positive people at ECC,” Solomon said. ​“It helped me a lot during my junior and senior year, especially with community service hours but they also offer a lot to the community. The people here are committed to helping you get to where you want to be.”

And soon, for many of the individuals in attendance, they’ll be back to school and ready to go.