08/10/2026
🎒✨ Another one for the books for HRCP!
Back to School Fest was an incredible celebration of community, connection and getting our students ready for a brand-new school year! 💙📚
Our hearts are still full after seeing thousands of Denver families come together this past Saturday to celebrate, connect with resources and make sure their kids had what they needed to start the school year strong.
In just three hours, we gave away more than 1,000 backpacks filled with school supplies! And thanks to We don't waste and the Southwest Food Coalition, more than 500 bags of food made their way into the hands of families in just two hours. 🥕🍎
We were also honored to hear from Councilwoman Jamie Torres, SouthWest Denver Coalition’s Kasandra Ornelas, Goodwill of Colorado Regional Director Cynthia Rodriguez, our very own Perla Gheiler, and, of course, First Lady Courtney Johnston, who helped welcome volunteers and celebrate the incredible community spirit behind this event at the Westwood Community Center. 🎤❤️
One of the biggest highlights? Goodwill of Colorado’s backpack personalization stations! 🎨🧵 Kids, young and not-so-young, had a blast making their backpacks uniquely theirs with sewn-on patches, keychains, charms and more. Seeing their creativity and excitement was absolutely priceless!
A huge shoutout to our friends at the Orpheus and Impalas Car Clubs, who rolled in with even MORE backpacks and school supplies and stayed with us for several hours to help distribute them to families. 🚗
And that was just the beginning!
💈 Fresh haircuts from R&R Head Labs
💅 Mini-Manicures thanks to our volunteers
💉 Vaccines from our city partners at Denver Denver Department of Public Health & Environment
🍦 Delicious ice cream generously provided by Little Man Ice Cream
🌮 Savory tacos and plenty of treats
💧 Water bottles donated by Eldorado Natural Spring Water
🎶 A DJ PLUS youth singers and musicians 🎸filling the air with music from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. thanks to Youth on Record
❤️ Nearly 30 organizations connecting families with important resources, including and screenings, free after-school and adult programs, community services and so much more!
And even with those HOT temperatures ☀️🥵, the smiles never stopped.
A heartfelt THANK YOU to our event partners at Mayor Mike Johnston’s Office, all the volunteers who responded to the call of service through First Lady Courtney Johnston's Initiative, Southwest Denver Coalition, and to the incredible community partners who helped make this day possible:
💙 Goodwill of Colorado
🏈 Denver Broncos
⚾ Colorado Rockies
💳 U.S. Bank
❤️ Donor Alliance
Another special thank you to our incredible HRCP Access for All team, who walked the venue with us ahead of the event to make sure we were prepared to welcome everyone. They showed up ready to ensure every family felt included and supported, from accessible routes and accommodations to throughout the entire day for our Deaf and hard of hearing community. 💙♿️🤟
And to every organization, volunteer, community partner, car club, artist, musician, vendor, staff member and neighbor who showed up and helped make the day happen, THANK YOU!
Here’s to a new school year filled with big dreams, new friendships, new opportunities and SUCCESS! 🎒📚✨
Denver, you showed up... And you showed out!
