30 Sep Back To School Community Festival
Commissioner Jean Monestime in partnership with Urban Strategies treated the children of the NFL YET at Gwen Cherry Park to a sun up to sun down back to school bash. The Back to School Community Festival had a little something for everyone. The event began at noon with a legal clinic, followed by a health fair, book bag give-a-way, movie, and jazz concert.
The much anticipated book bag give-a-way went off without a hitch. Colored armbands were given to each person to maintain order and a smooth delivery of 570 book bags and school supplies was under way. The event included a drawing of approximately ten door prizes; the winners each received four tickets to a Marlins game, according to Melanie Burke, a representative of Commissioner Monestime’s office. The commissioner’s office and Urban Strategies in partnership with three entities, McCormick Barron, Salazar, and McCormick Barron Reagan, sponsored the activity. Parents with multiple children were happy to receive the help offsetting back to school costs. Nikki Lemons, mother of five children, ages 6, 7, 10, 17, and 18 years old, said “There’s a lot of families without that couldn’t afford for the whole family, so I think it’s a good thing.” 
There were fitness and fun activities available in an effort to encourage all in attendance to maintain physical fitness. Bounce houses and outdoor games were provided for the children while the grown-ups learned line dancing inside. Lunch, drinks and food were provided which included popcorn and snow cones for the children.
An informative legal clinic was sponsored by the Gwen Cherry Black Women Lawyers Association (GCBWLA). Those in attendance were able to ask questions, seek advice on specific legal matters and learn from a seminar presented by several of the attorneys. Following the legal clinic was a health fair where all were able to be screened for diabetes and high blood pressure as well as receive referrals for treatment.
Following the legal clinic and health fair, the day’s activities ended with a special treat of an open air movie for the children and a jazz under the stars concert for the adults.