On Aug. 2, Breakthrough’s FamilyPlex gymnasium in East Garfield Park will transform into a one-stop shop for college-bound students at its annual Trunk Party.
Its gymnasium will be set up with different sections organized by category, including bedding, toiletries, school supplies, hygiene products and detergent. As students walk through, they will be able to select items within set limits.
Breakthrough is a social service agency located in East Garfield Park on Chicago’s West Side, dedicated to supporting the community through a range of programs in education, economic opportunity, housing, health, violence prevention and spiritual formation.
This year, 80 students were selected to participate in the Trunk Party, with priority given to those who live in or have strong ties to the East Garfield Park neighborhood — whether through a local school, church, or community organization.
Students will receive a variety of essential items to help them prepare for college life. These include practical supplies like shower caddies, shower shoes, towels, and feminine hygiene products. Hygiene essentials such as deodorant, toothbrushes, and toothpaste will also be available in limited quantities.
Additionally, students can pick up school supplies including notebooks, pens, post-its, and backpacks. The event also offers storage items like bins, laundry hampers, and shoe racks to help students organize their new living spaces.
Myisha McGee is Breakthrough’s post-secondary high school director who helps students prepare for college and their future.
“So honestly, when you look at a dorm room, as you walk through here, we’ve set it up to resemble that. People can simply take what they need from each section,” McGee said.
Breakthrough’s broader mission is to help bridge gaps and provide essential resources to the community. Its goal is to ensure that students have one less thing to worry about as they prepare for college, according to McGee. At the Trunk Party, students attend at no cost, enjoy food and some entertainment, and leave with all the essential items they need to succeed in their first year of college.
The Trunk Party began as an idea from a former student, inspired by her younger sister heading to college. She suggested hosting a community event to support students with college essentials.
“We started offering it to members of the community and it just expanded from there. Now we offer it to others beyond the neighboring communities as well. However, since Breakthrough is located in East Garfield Park, it’s a priority to make sure students from this community are able to take advantage of it,” McGee said.
When asked what she hopes this support will have on students as they begin college, McGee emphasized the importance of easing the burden.
“A lot of these students are first-generation. They should not have to stress about needing things like sheets, detergent, towels, or shower shoes,” McGee said.
As McGee described it, the challenge of college fit weighs heavily on first-generation students. Influenced by what they’ve seen online, they may enroll at schools that look appealing on social media but later find themselves unprepared for the scale and culture of the institution.
“Breakthrough aims to be that support system. So when students come to the Trunk Party, they not only receive my business card to follow up with me, but we also have a high school coordinator who supports them throughout their college journey,” McGee said.
Students heard about the Trunk Party through various channels. Many applications came from school partnerships, with counselors spreading the word via email blasts. Others discovered the event through flyers shared within Breakthrough’s programs or through social media posts.
“When you see the joy on the students’ faces and the relief that parents feel, it’s clear this is so much more than a typical school supply donation. While those giveaways are always appreciated, this event offers the comfort of knowing that many needs can be met all at once,” McGee said.