BACKPACK TO SCHOOL
Local charities see increase in families needing school supplies
The UpBeat is a section in the Citizen where readers can submit their own feel-good stories. This was submitted by Megan O’Meara, the communications co-ordinator for The Caring and Sharing Exchange. Imagine, for a moment, being a child on the first day of school.
You nervously step into your new classroom, smile shyly at your new teacher and find your seat. You hope no one noticed you were not wearing a backpack. After a few introductions, the teacher asks the class to take out a notebook and pencil. You feel your face begin to turn red as you look to your left and right, realizing you’re the only one who has brought nothing to write with.
The teacher asks you quietly if you have forgotten your school supplies today, and you say yes, not wanting to tell her in front of the class that you don’t own any school supplies at all.
She gives you a short pencil and a few sheets of loose paper to get through the day, and you find yourself unable to focus as you worry about what to say when you “forget” your supplies again tomorrow.
A local charity called The Caring and Sharing Exchange is working hard to ensure no child in Ottawa has an experience like this in September.
Through its Sharing in Student Success (SISS) program, the charity provides backpacks stuffed with grade-appropriate school supplies to children in need across the city.
For the past three years, the charity has been able to help every child on its list, but due to an increase in this year’s registration, the Exchange is facing a larger waiting list for assistance.
“Last year, we were very proud to help 1,582 children through this program,” said Cindy Smith, executive director of the Caring and Sharing Exchange. “We have seen the need grow even greater this year with the influx of Syrian refugees, and we truly hope we will be able to ensure that all of the children on our list are able to begin the year on an equal footing with their peers, ready to learn.”
The Exchange works with many community organizations across the city to ensure there is no duplication of assistance, which, in turn, allows them to save money and help more people.
One of these partner agencies is Caldwell Family Centre, which helps a few of its own clients and refers the rest to the SISS program. Caldwell’s program co-ordinator, Edith Moloughney, said she has seen a jump in the number of requests processed through her organization, as well.
“This program has such a huge impact on the families in our community,” Moloughney said. “When the parents arrive to register their kids, you can tell that they are very anxious, but when they leave you can see the relief on their faces.”
The Somali Centre for Family Services has also requested filled backpacks from the SISS program. Over the past several months, the centre has seen a massive leap in requests it feels has been caused by the influx of Syrian refugees.
Last year, the centre requested assistance from the Exchange for 63 children. This year, the number is almost five times that amount — nearly 300 children. The centre said that upwards of 97 per cent of the children on its list are Syrian newcomers.
“Despite seeing a significant increase in requests citywide, we believe that with the community’s help we will be able to continue our success from past years and leave no child behind this year,” Smith said.
“Some of the stories we hear from our recipients each year are so touching, and to think of families like theirs going without any support this year breaks my heart.”
One recipient mother from the 2015 program wrote to the Exchange expressing her gratitude and shared that she hopes to become a donor to the program in the future.
“I normally give to programs such as these but life circumstances this past year has put me in a less fortunate place financially,” she wrote. “I am a single mom and up until last week I have been unemployed. These backpacks are a huge help as I try to put my life and my girls’ lives back on track. Hopefully next year I will be able to contribute so as to help another family going through financial hardship.” To make a donation to the Sharing in Student Success Program, or to find out more, please call 613-2266434 or visit the charity’s website at CaringandSharing.ca.
These backpacks are a huge help as I try to put my life and my girls’ lives back on track. Hopefully next year I will be able to contribute.