Resource Connection: MIRA & Calvary Chapel’s Backpack Program

As summer comes to a close, MIRA once again partnered with Mountain Life Calvary Chapel to help Eagle County students start the school year with confidence. Throughout July and August, families gathered at five locations across Eagle and Garfield counties to receive free backpacks and school supplies – generously provided by Mountain Life Calvary Chapel – while also connecting with MIRA’s health, wellness, and resource navigation services.

Together, we distributed 750 backpacks to local students, helping ease the financial burden of back-to-school expenses while ensuring children have the tools they need to thrive in the classroom. But this partnership goes beyond school supplies. While students receive backpacks, MIRA staff meet one-on-one with families to identify needs and connect them to essential services that support long-term health and stability.

Families accessed free, bilingual services including:

• Health insurance enrollment
• Nutrition and chronic disease education
• Behavioral health support
• Referrals to local nonprofits and county resources, including Early Head Start resources

By bringing these services directly into neighborhoods, MIRA removes barriers like transportation, language, and complicated paperwork, making it easier for families to access the support they need. This trusted, relationship-based approach helps ensure that every child is set up for success – both inside and outside the classroom.

Last year, MIRA served more than 5,000 community members, and we are committed to expanding that reach in the year ahead. Together with partners like Mountain Life Calvary Chapel, we are building a healthier, more connected, and more equitable Eagle County – one family at a time.

A heartfelt thank you to Mountain Life Calvary Chapel for your continued partnership and generosity in helping local students and families thrive.