K-12 Education Back to School Extravaganza draws hundreds 8-25-16

Joseph V. Sowmick - August 29, 2016

Team Observer was on location at Broadway Field and Pavilion for the annual Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe K-12 Education Back to School Extravaganza on Aug. 25.  K-12 Youth Leadership Manager Deb Smith informs the Saginaw Chippewa Housing Department once more were gracious hosts for the event. The Saginaw Chippewa Tribal College, Saginaw Chippewa Tribal Police, ACFS, Behavioral  Health, Nimkee Fitness, Mount Pleasant PEAK, Soaring Eagle Waterpark and Hotel, ALRD, Niijkewehn Mentoring Program, SCIT Recreation and At-Large/Member Services contributed supplies, staff and resources to the extravaganza.  

“The K-12 Education Department would like to thank everyone for helping make this event successful,” Smith said.  “We had an awesome turnout and the kids enjoyed getting all the school supplies from all the different departments.”

 

K-12 Services Youth Empowerment Aide Aaron Hemgesberg worked alongside fellow Youth Empowerment Aide staffer Natasha Miniard as over 200 people registered for the popular event.  “It is always great to help the community and to provide the kids with supplies for school,” Hemgesberg said. “The staff look forward to seeing all the students after their busy summer.   It puts a huge smile on my face and to see the kids eyes light up when you give them a backpack .. that is priceless.”

Residential Treatment Coordinator Sarah Winchell-Gurski mentions Behavioral Health and Domestic Violence programs were able to provide information about the upcoming “Paint the Rez Purple” color run for the DV program in October.  “We offered the students pencil bags that have an anti-drug slogan on them and say no to drugs pencil from our prevention team.  They were stuffed with flyers about the school based program.,” Winchell-Gurski said.  “We had myself and two other therapists attend the event.  We were amazed at how many kids and families were there.  It was well organized and families had a great time.”