Karissa from Faded Precision gives a haircut to Bobby Thiaw.
Backpacks, not people, filled the chairs of The Journey Church’s worship space, ready to be distributed at Saturday’s “Back to School Block Party.”
During the pandemic, this 29th Street church held a community classroom, so parents could keep working while the schools were closed. This block party is a result of the relationships built during that time and a desire to continue to serve the community, said Pastor Kris Sledge.
“We know that there continues to be vulnerable students and vulnerable families… in light of inflation,” Sledge said. “So, how can we, in a very tangible way, respond and support our neighbors?”
This help came in the form of a free haircut, free clothing and a backpack full of school supplies to start the school year off right. In all, 375 backpacks were available.
“I’ve got kids, and I’m trying to keep them busy and get them some school supplies,” said Shakeela Rucker, as her three children tried to beat the sun as they devoured their cotton candy ice cream.
Free books lined the hallway toward the makeshift barber shop. Church member Maria James-Thiaw’s son, Bobby, hopped on the chair to get spiffed up for school. Thiaw reminded the barber, Karissa from Faded Precision Barbering, that her son really wanted to keep the purple peak that already topped his head.
“The block party gives an opportunity to meet our neighbors and helps a lot of us that need help with back to school,” said James-Thiaw.
The busy Rucker family attended the block party.
The Journey’s Jay’s Community Clothing Closet provided free clothing and shoes for all ages. The room overflowed with attire options for families. Folks took a bag and painstakingly made their choices, excited to find just the right thing.
“Take a coat, leave a hanger,” chimed volunteer Stephany Rudy.
About 60 volunteers made this event happen.
“This concept of serving our neighbors, I’m so passionate about it, and the Journey is, too,” said Jodie Gelnett, the church’s community development and engagement director.
Service represents a hallmark of The Journey, but the event isn’t transactional–it’s relational. We want to engage the community and “invite them into our space and get to know who they are,” said Brittney Ross Davis, director of children and justice ministries.
The stereotypical idea of church is that it’s stuffy and serious, a view that Sledge wants to change.
“A vision of The Journey for me has been when someone enters our space or when someone interacts with our church, they can experience a level of hope, if that’s what they need in their situation–but also just some fun,” Sledge said.
Backpacks await takers at the block party.
With people in and out of the building, sitting talking at tables, and socializing with each other and The Journey volunteers, as a DJ spun some tunes, it felt like community.
“We just continue the hope that we can be a hub in our neighborhood, for families, and for people, a hub of support, a hub of fun, a way in which that we can just build relationships and just connect and learn and grow because of these connections,” Sledge said.
This sunny, summer Saturday, doled out quintessential seasonal fun, before students need to crack the books.
The Journey Church is located at 750 S. 29th St., Harrisburg. To learn more, visit https://thejourneyharrisburg.org.
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