FITCHBURG — Normandy Road was bustling with activity Saturday afternoon during the third annual Fitchburg Housing Authority back to school celebration, where children and families were gifted backpacks, school supplies, certificates for haircuts from local barber shops, and more.
Kids of all ages were seen riding bikes, happily playing outside all around the public housing development and stopping by the party to nosh on pizza, enjoy a cool ice cream treat from the Juniper Farms truck, and excitedly pick out new gear for school.
Several FHA staff members were on hand for the event including Executive Director Doug Bushman, Assistant Director of Family Housing Norma Letamendi, Director of Family Housing Genesis Ruiz, Clerk Administrator Sol Toro, Resident Service Coordinator Felix Velasquez, and maintenance team member Yaya Villar.
“I’m proud to be able to be a part of this community,” said Velasquez, who grew up in the area.
The annual tradition launched in 2020 coincides with the beginning of the school year and was inspired by the COVID-19 pandemic. It has continued with funding provided under the FHA Residential Services Program, which is funded by the Massachusetts Department of Housing and Community Development.
Several local community partners came together in support of the day including DCU, Innovation Learning Center, Clipper & Co., Thumbs Up and Reys barber shops, Montachusett Regional Transit Authority, Making Opportunity Count, and MY CARE Initiative.
“Teamwork makes the dreamwork,” Velasquez said of the successful collaboration.
MCI was founded in 2015 with the mission of using various mediums and aspects within the arts to promote education and cultural understanding, and to connect social and humanities projects for productive engagement, success, and progress within communities. Executive Director Kenisha Coy said the Fitchburg based nonprofit is also working with housing authorities in Cambridge and other places in the state to support “people affected by abuse and trauma.”
She brought 100 backpacks to the FHA back to school event to give out to students, including a family of four siblings who live up the street.
“We live in a silo, and everything is so divisive right now,” Coy said. “People don’t realize you can change your community.”
Bushman praised the FHA staff for their hard work and all those involved in helping to organize and put on the well-attended celebration.
“He’s being modest,” Bushman said of Velasquez, who he referred to as “the architect” of the community outreach event. Bushman added they are committed to continuing programs such as this one that highlight everything the city and FHA has to offer.
“It’s a good community,” he said. “I don’t think in five years people are going to recognize Fitchburg and this is a big part of it.”
