The Family Life Committee of Fenimore Street United Methodist Church (FSUMC) in Brooklyn hosted its annual Back-to-School event on Saturday, Aug. 2, for unhoused children and their families in the city.

Families participated in fun games and other activities organized by FSUMC Pastor, the Rev. Roger Jackson, and First Lady Sis. Kim Jackson. 

There were games for different age groups, such as children aged 3-5, 6-10, teen-aged boys and girls, and even adults.

Church members and volunteers joined the families for lunch, which included fried chicken, hot dogs, French fries, mac and cheese, salad, corn on the cob, and watermelon. 

Afterwards, they were served cake and ice cream for dessert.

After lunch, the families participated in musical chairs and a dance party. 

About 34 children, adults, local church members, and friends.

Each child received a book bag filled with school supplies, such as pencils, pens, notebooks, crayons, markers, folders, pencil cases, and more. 

Each visitor also received a care package (toiletries). 

“We thank God for his blessings on this back-to-school event and pray that He blesses us to continue at the next event, our Christmas Party, on Dec. 6, 2025,” Joycelyn King, the Antiguan-born deputy coordinator of the Family Life Committee and FSUMC interim lay leader, told Caribbean Life.

Joe King, coordinator of Hospitality House in Staten Island, said he has brought families to the event for the past 10 years.

“The fellowship – they love it,” he told Caribbean Life. “Everybody feels good when they leave here. It’s togetherness.

“They get a lot out of it,” he added. “It shows the appreciation.”

Angela Thomas, childcare coordinator at Hospitality House, said she was attending the event for the second time.

“I love it, I love it,” stressed Thomas, who was born in the Bronx to a Trinidadian mother and Native American father. “Some of the families open up when they see the excitement.

“They (FSUMC) should encourage other churches to do what they do,” she added. “When the community sees that the church cares and not just preaches, it makes you want to be part of it.”

Families from the Boulevard Shelter on Queens Boulevard, Queens, also participated in the Back-to-School event.