Back to School 2025

This past Saturday, Common Thread hosted our annual Back-to-School event—and it was nothing short of extraordinary. Hundreds of teens poured in throughout the day, ready to gear up for a new school year. What they found was not just supplies or services, but a community showing up for them in the most generous and heartfelt ways.

More than 40 professionals—including barbers, hairstylists, makeup and brow artists, nail technicians, and estheticians—donated their time and expertise to offer completely free services. From fresh haircuts to styled braids, clean brows to polished nails, each interaction was about more than appearance. It was about helping teens step into the new school year feeling confident, seen, and cared for.

Alongside them, over 50 dedicated volunteers worked tirelessly to distribute

thousands of essential items. Teens selected everything from school supplies and notebooks to hygiene products, clothing, makeup, snacks, and more. Every table, every offering, and every conversation was an expression of love, support, and dignity.

But the heart of this event has never been just about backpacks or haircuts. It’s about belonging. It’s about creating a space where teens—especially those navigating vulnerability or instability—can feel supported by a community that believes in them. It’s about reminding every young person who walks through the door that they matter, that they deserve respect, and that they are not alone as they step into a new year with new challenges and new opportunities.

We are deeply grateful to every professional, volunteer, donor, and community

member who made this day possible. Your generosity, skill, and kindness created an atmosphere of joy, dignity, and connection that will stay with these teens far beyond the first day of school.

Thank you for showing up. Thank you for caring. Thank you for being the Common Thread that holds this community together.