On Friday, August 5, Haymarket hosted its first back-to-school Field Day event. The event, organized by Haymarket’s Youth Prevention Team and the Chicago Park District, was held at Robert Taylor Park in the South Side’s Fuller Park Neighborhood. The Youth Prevention team organized the children’s event in celebration and preparation for the coming school year. This year, activities included tug of war, water balloon tossing, and three-legged races, among others. In addition, the event featured a school supply give-away to prepare students for their return to school.
“We had roughly 70 kids that were eager to see what activities we had to offer.,” explained Spencer Jones, a Haymarket staff member who organized the event.“ Hosting events like this helps Haymarket and its Prevention Specialist see the necessity in being consistent and intentional. Were slated to facilitate programming for 500 students this upcoming school year and this event served as a good starting point.”
“The field day was a very heartwarming experience, the kids were very enthralled by all of our activities,” reflected Olivia Meisenbach, Jones’ colleague on the Youth Prevention Team. It definitely was a nice surprise for the kids to have a change in activity while also enjoying the summer day.”