On Wednesday, June 18, Child and Family Services Residential Program hosted its annual carnival, and the weather couldn’t have been better. After the earlier days of June had been filled with sweltering heat and frequent rain, this day brought a welcome break with blue skies and a perfect summer breeze.
The Residential campus was transformed into a festive playground full of laughter and activity. Outdoors, kids soaked up the sunshine while enjoying a variety of games and playtime with their peers. Indoors, the gym buzzed with energy as kids lined up for inflatable games, face painting and sports, all while earning tickets they could later trade in for fun prizes.
Marking the end of the school year and the beginning of summer, the carnival represents more than a day of fun for the children. The day is a tradition that gives the youth in Residential a sense of celebration and belonging. It’s a meaningful reminder that every child deserves moments of joy, connection and the chance to just be a kid.
“This day was really all about joy,” said Shanika Chinnery, Residential Operations Manager. “It was heartwarming to see the kids laughing and enjoying themselves as the school year came to an end. They all work so hard, and deserve to be proud of themselves.”
Adding to the excitement were the sweet treats scattered throughout the day, including a visit from Chilly Billy’s ice cream truck. Whether cooling off inside or running around outside, the carnival offered something for everyone.
Thanks to the hard work of the Residential staff, the carnival was an exciting way to kick off summer!