So Fresh Saturday Festivals Benefits Englewood Families with Back to School Event

Published: August 17, 2017

The Resident Association of Greater Englewood (R.A.G.E.) will continue its fifth annual So Fresh Saturday series with a massive back-to-school drive at Hamilton Park Cultural Center located at 513 West 72nd Street on Saturday, August 26, 2017 from 3pm-7pm. Throughout the summer, the resident-produced “edutainment” event has toured over six Englewood neighborhood parks on a mission to spread peace and encourage artistic creativity.

The organization anticipates passing out 1,000 fully packed backpacks during the event. The festival will also feature dozens of vendors that help restore the residents’ quality of life. Like all So Fresh Saturday events, local performers will spotlight their talents and share powerful messages. At this year’s back-to-school event, youth will be especially encouraged to take the stage.“So Fresh Saturday has been bigger our fifth time around,” said Asiaha Butler, President of R.A.G.E. “We were proud to bring entertainment and excitement to the Englewood community to encourage not only peace but unity amongst neighbors. We hope to prepare the youth in our community for the upcoming school year with our So Fresh Saturday back-to-school event.”

“With the support of our community partners, Hamilton Park Advisory Council and the Save Our Community Coalition, we hope to make sure many of the children in Englewood are both excited and prepared for going back to school,” said Butler. “We can’t wait to see the impact this year’s So Fresh Saturday at Hamilton Park Cultural Center makes on our community members who need extra support during this time of year.”

To help R.A.G.E. fulfill the demand for back-to-school supplies during this year's So Fresh Saturday series visit https://www.paypal.me/RAGEnglewood or contact joinrage@gmail.com to drop off donations. To learn more about R.A.G.E. and So Fresh Saturdays visit www.ragenglewood.org.

So Fresh Saturday is presented as part of the Chicago Park District’s Night Out in the Parks series, supported by Mayor Rahm Emanuel. Arts programming in neighborhoods across the city advances the goals of the Chicago Park District and the Chicago Cultural Plan. Now in its fifth year, the 2017 Night Out in the Parks series will host over 1,000 cultural events and programs at more than 250 neighborhood parks throughout the city, making community parks a safe haven and hubs of activity. Projects will vary from traditional performances and concerts, to movies, peace rallies, community workshops, nature based programs, dance pieces, festivals, and more. The Chicago Park District has partnered with more than 100 arts and community organizations to expand and produce this successful initiative. If you want to support the So Fresh Saturday’s initiative and would like to get involved, could provide event resources, or would just like to learn more, contact R.A.G.E. at joinrage@gmail.com, or visit us at ragenglewood.org.

The Resident Association of Greater Englewood (R.A.G.E.) is a resident-driven organization whose mission is to mobilize residents of the community, utilizing asset-based development and innovative organizing techniques.