Our Weekly Festivities
This past Friday, we wrapped up the final chapter of this year’s Fridays on Front series, and what an experience it has been! From the groovy vibes of the 70s to the vibrant energy of Fiesta Latina, Family Place turned each weekly event theme into an unforgettable experience. To immerse ourselves into the 70’s nostalgia we went all out with bracelet making, where both kids and parents crafted bracelets, reminiscent of the iconic accessories from that era, and for Fiesta Latina, families got creative designing cactuses, adding a fun and festive touch to the event. The past two months have reminded us of the incredible strength of our community, and the power of uniting.
Uniting Community
We were thrilled to have been invited once again to Friday’s on Front. Being a part of this event allowed us to reengage with the Downtown New West community and celebrate togetherness. One of the key reasons Family Place is drawn to participate in Fridays on Front is the festival’s genuine embrace of inclusivity. Family Place is consistently working to ensure all familiesfeel welcomed, and heard, around their community, directly aligning with one of Friday’s on Front core values.
Turning Efforts into Achievements
Fridays on Front has been an incredible opportunity to connect with the community and showcase our resources. Witnessing the excitement, from new families when we share about our free drop-ins and workshops, is truly one of the most rewarding experiences. We even had one parent who was so thrilled about our free drop-ins, and toy trades that they ran to their partner, jumping for joy! These kinds of reactions are what guide Family Place to continue providing unwavering support, and assistance to families. Parents and Caregivers often come to us with various needs, and we take pride in offering support through guidance toward our community partner resources or by taking the first steps with a friendly conversation. Supporting families in all shapes and forms is foundational to building strong relationships. Events like Fridays on Front introduce many families to our organization for the first time, making these events so crucial.
Celebrating our Journey
Over the years Fridays on Front has evolved from a small community gathering to a vibrant, bustling event! This transformation has been one that Family Place has been glad to have been a part of. As an organization, we recognized the potential of Fridays on Front as a platform to reconnect young families with their local community in an atmosphere that is welcoming and celebratory. Our volunteers had a blast joining in on the fun, and creating memorable experiences with families. We were also thrilled to have had Candice from Social Venture Partners (SVP), join us for an event in July, and adding an extra sparkle of excitement to the festivities.
Our contributions have not only supported families but have played a pivotal role in making Fridays on Front more inclusive. Speaking with one of our regular families, they shared how glad they were to have had a free event that included free activities for children so close by. It is important for families to have opportunities to socialize outside of the home in the evening and not feel tied down to an early bedtime schedule! These free events ensure all families can participate and be a part of a community. We are consistently working to ensure access to free activities, and resources is available, and comments like these warm our hearts, knowing that our work is helping families.
We look forward to continuing to participate in family fun at Fridays on Front next year! For more of Family Place’s contributions to summer events, check out our other blogs, by our summer intern, Kayla!