A Strong Start: Britepaths’ First Back to School Fair
This summer, Britepaths hosted its first-ever Back to School Fair, and thanks to the support of our sponsors, donors, volunteers, and partners, it was an incredible success. Together, we helped hundreds of local students begin the school year with confidence and the necessary resources to succeed.
Supporting Our Students and Families
Across our three Back to School Fair dates and in the weeks that followed, 376 students from 161 families received backpacks filled with supply kits containing essential classroom items. Families who were unable to attend the fair are still being served to reach our goal of distributing 500 backpacks and kits to the students in our community.
Parents who attended the fair shared that the in-person connection meant as much as the supplies themselves. Many families expressed gratitude for meeting the Britepaths team, learning about additional community resources, and feeling supported as they prepared for the new school year. One parent told us, “This is going to make the new school year wonderful and unforgettable.”
Alongside local students, we are proud to provide 60 local teachers with classroom supply kits containing essentials like wipes, hand sanitizer, and tissues, along with a $25 Staples gift card. These gifts aim to help teachers stretch their budgets while keeping their classrooms stocked with basics to support their students’ learning.
Community Partners in Action
The Back to School Fair also served as a hub for families to connect with local organizations and resources. We were joined by Anthem HealthKeepers Plus, George Mason University, ServiceSource’s Families Achieving Self-Sufficiency Together (FASST) Program, the Junior League of Northern Virginia, and Northern Virginia Community College, all of whom offered resources and information to help families thrive holistically beyond the school year.
The Secret Garden in Bloom
Our Secret Garden book nook played a special role during the fair, bringing the joy of reading to the children who visited our office alongside their new school supplies. Over the course of the event dates:
- 152 children selected 157 books to take home.
- 78% of families shared that The Secret Garden sparks joy for their children.
- 65% said it is fostering children’s literacy.
- 74% said it is enhancing educational opportunities.
- 67% said it is providing an important service to the community.
One parent reflected, “The Secret Garden will help me by providing new books to help my son advance his reading skills.” Another simply said, “They’re helping my children have a better education.”
A Special Thank You to our Back to School Program Sponsors and Partners!
Britepaths’ Back to School Program has long worked to equip students in Northern Virginia with the tools they need to focus on learning. This year’s Back to School Fair introduced a community-centered approach to bringing resources directly to families. The success of this first fair demonstrates the potential of neighbors, volunteers, and partners working together with a shared goal: ensuring that every child has what they need to thrive and build the educational foundation they deserve.
Thank you to:
Sponsors
Anthem HealthKeepers Plus
Jim McKay Chevrolet
Kearney & Company
Unity of Fairfax
Partners
Fairfax Ace Hardware
Church of the Holy Comforter
We would like to thank everyone who helped make this milestone event possible. To learn more about Britepaths’ Back to School Program and how to get involved, visit britepaths.org/our-services/back-school.
