Photo of the Day: Kenilworth Donors, Englewood Families Unite to Celebrate Kwanzaa

 For the fifth year in a row, families from Kenilworth and the Providence Englewood Charter School community came together to learn about and celebrate the Kwanzaa holiday. The celebration, which took place at the school on a Saturday morning, is just one example of the way these two communities have partnered together to improve education options in Chicago’s Englewood neighborhood.

The Kenilworth Families Partnership and the school united to host the event for first-year parents of Providence Englewood Charter School students. What they witnessed was a cultural experience complete with customary Kwanzaa dance from the school’s dance team. They also enjoyed traditional Kwanzaa fare from a local Englewood catering company.

The Kwanzaa celebration, which attracted about 80 parents and children from both Kenilworth and Englewood, is part of a larger, long-standing partnership between the two communities.

The Kenilworth Families Partnership first became involved with Providence Englewood through a program of New Schools for Chicago, an organization that aims to create high-quality charter schools in Chicago’s most underserved communities. Charter schools are public schools open to any resident of Chicago. They do not charge tuition or require entrance exams.  Most charter schools, including Providence Englewood, serve students from their neighborhoods. Charter schools prepare students for college and career, and help close the achievement gap.  For example, about 80 percent of charter school freshmen graduate and about 70 percent enroll in college.

The Kenilworth Families Group was created to provide support that extends beyond fiscal support of the school. In addition to donating funds, the Kenilworth group frequently tutors students and coordinates unique excursions for them. 

“This partnership has shown us that being involved with a school doesn’t just end with a financial contribution,” said Kenilworth Families Partner founder Denise Nash. “The annual Kwanzaa festivities are a great way to come together and celebrate how much we’ve helped each other grow over the years. I’ve been bringing my four children and it has become a tradition for both my own family and the family that makes up this partnership.”

The groups are planning to host similar events that bring families together throughout the upcoming year.

“We have really enjoyed our relationship with the Kenilworth Families Partnership. Although we come from different communities, we’ve developed a true sense of connectedness over the years,” said Providence Englewood Principal Angela Johnson-Williams. “This is a great opportunity for everyone to gain a better understanding of the holiday and see first-hand why it is so special.”