57 High School Seniors from East Garfield Park Participated in Breakthrough’s Second Annual Trunk Party
While most college-bound students worry about impending coursework and making friends, some Chicago students worry about filling their dorms with the necessary items, a cost financial aid does not cover.
With the support of donors and volunteers, Breakthrough hosted a Trunk Party on Saturday, Aug. 3. At the party, 57 college-bound students from East Garfield Park were able to choose from thousands of items, including toiletries, linens, and school supplies. The Trunk Party also included a panel of current college students who shared advice on topics from community engagement to time management.
As family and friends gather to mingle and support students at the community-wide event, trunk parties also serve as a reminder to students of the many people who support them.
These hardworking students have secured acceptances into universities, including Brown University, the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, and Columbia College Chicago, and have received scholarships and other forms of financial aid. However, it costs a student an additional $1,600 to get the supplies they need to live on a college campus.
According to Marcie Curry, Senior Director of the Breakthrough Youth Network, “We don’t want students to arrive at college academically prepared but not with the physical items they need. Breakthrough is excited to be able to support college-bound students with the Trunk Party and to stand behind them as they move on to their next venture.”
Breakthrough is committed to supporting East Garfield Park youth as they transition into work and post-secondary education. In addition to the annual Trunk Party, Breakthrough offers youth employment, scholarship opportunities, internships, and resource access.
To learn more about Breakthrough’s high school programs, visit this link.
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