One of the many awesome aspects of working with Inner Strength is the opportunity to actively engage with the community and participate in various local events. A particular favorite of mine is State Senator Art Haywood’s annual Back to School event, which takes place every August. This year marked the third time that ISE participated, and we had another great  experience.

Held at the Lonnie Young Recreation Center in the Mt. Airy neighborhood of Philadelphia, the event is a fantastic way to connect with community members of all ages, share resources, network, and, most importantly, have a lot of fun. Over 400 people attended, visiting tables hosted by organizations like the Free Library of Philadelphia, Vetri Mobile Teaching Kitchen (always a kid favorite), the Pennsylvania State Police (their helicopter arrival is a highlight for me), and, of course, Inner Strength. Attendees enjoyed performances by dance troupes, cheerleaders, face painting, two bouncy houses (a personal favorite of my twins), free food, and a backpack giveaway. A hilarious new addition this year was a dunk tank, with Sen. Haywood himself as a good-natured participant. I must admit, I was a bit envious—it was quite a hot day!

This year, I managed ISE’s table on my own and put a lot of thought into what would resonate with attendees. I decided to provide stress-relief squishies, palm cards with QR codes for teen and educator resources, information about our mental health resource guide, details about ISE’s programs, and, of course, plenty of stickers (because who doesn’t love stickers?). It was wonderful connecting with other organizations, meeting like-minded individuals, and bringing smiles to people’s faces.

Check out some of the event photos below, and let us know in the comments if there’s an event you’d like to see Inner Strength attend!