RISE BACK-TO-SCHOOL SUPPORT PROGRAM
(Coming Soon)
Helping Students Start the School Year with Confidence.
Supporting children and youth with backpacks, school supplies, and encouragement for a successful start to the school year.
Every child deserves to begin the school year prepared to learn, grow, and succeed. The Rise Back-to-School Support Program helps reduce financial barriers for families by providing essential school supplies that build confidence and support educational success.
PROGRAM OVERVIEW
Preparing Students for Success.
Starting a new school year should be exciting—not stressful.
For many families, purchasing backpacks, school supplies, and classroom essentials can place significant pressure on already limited household budgets. The Rise Back-to-School Support Program was created to help ease that burden by providing students with the essential supplies they need to begin the school year prepared, confident, and ready to learn.
Our goal is simple: to remove barriers to education by ensuring children and youth have access to the tools they need for a successful start. By supporting students and their families, we aim to build confidence, encourage learning, and help every child begin the school year with the opportunity to thrive.
OUR PURPOSE
Helping Every Student Start Strong.
Education is one of the strongest foundations for building brighter futures. The Rise Back-to-School Support Program exists to help remove barriers that may prevent children and youth from beginning the school year with confidence.
By providing essential school supplies and encouraging community support, we strive to reduce financial pressures on families while ensuring students have the tools they need to learn, grow, and succeed. Every backpack represents an investment in a child's education, confidence, and future.
WHAT'S INCLUDED
Essential Supplies for a
Successful Start.
Each backpack is thoughtfully prepared with essential school supplies to help students begin the school year ready to learn. Items may vary depending on grade level, funding, donations, and product availability.
🎒 Backpack
A durable backpack designed to support students throughout the school year.
📚 School Supplies
Notebooks, paper, folders, binders, and other classroom essentials.
✏️ Writing Materials
Pens, pencils, erasers, markers, highlighters, crayons, and coloured pencils.
📐 Learning Essentials
Grade-appropriate items such as rulers, calculators, geometry tools, or subject-specific supplies when available.
🧴 Additional Essentials
Lunch bags, water bottles, hygiene products, or other helpful items may be included based on donations and available resources.
WHO CAN APPLY
Supporting Eligible Students
and Families.
The Rise Back-to-School Support Program is intended to support children and youth whose families may need assistance preparing for the upcoming school year.
Eligibility requirements, application dates, and available spaces will be announced before each annual program launch.
Applications may consider factors such as residency within the service area, student enrollment, household circumstances, and available program funding.
Our goal is to ensure the program remains accessible, fair, and responsive to community needs.
HOW THE PROGRAM WORKS
A Simple Process Designed to Support Families.
Step 1: Applications Open
Families submit an application during the program registration period.
Step 2: Eligibility Review
Applications are reviewed based on the program guidelines and available resources.
Step 3: Backpack Preparation
Volunteers prepare backpacks with essential school supplies for each eligible student.
Step 4: Distribution Day
Families receive their backpacks before the start of the school year, helping students begin with confidence.
COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIP
Working Together to
Support Students.
The Rise Back-to-School Support Program is made possible through the generosity and collaboration of businesses, community organizations, schools, donors, volunteers, and local partners.
By working together, we can reach more students, provide more resources, and strengthen our collective impact across Durham Region. Every partnership helps remove barriers to education and creates new opportunities for children and youth to begin the school year with confidence.
Together, we are investing in brighter futures and stronger communities.
HOW YOU CAN HELP
Every Contribution Helps a Student Start Strong.
Whether you donate supplies, volunteer your time, sponsor a student, or become a community partner, your support helps provide children and youth with the tools they need to begin the school year prepared and confident.
🎁 Donate School Supplies
Help fill backpacks with essential classroom items.
🤝 Volunteer
Assist with sorting, packing, and distributing school supplies.
🎒 Sponsor a Backpack
Support the purchase of a complete backpack for a student.
🏢 Become a Community Partner
Support the program through sponsorships, donations, or collaborative initiatives.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Answers to Common Questions.
1. When will applications open?
Applications will open before each annual Back-to-School Support Program. Registration dates, deadlines, and program updates will be announced on our website and social media channels.
2. Who is eligible to apply?
Eligibility requirements will be published when applications open. Criteria may include residency within our service area, student enrollment, household circumstances, and available program funding.
3. Is there a cost to participate?
No. The Rise Back-to-School Support Program is offered free of charge to approved participants, thanks to the generosity of our donors, sponsors, volunteers, and community partners.
4. What is included in each backpack?
Backpacks may include a variety of grade-appropriate school supplies such as notebooks, pencils, pens, crayons, markers, folders, and other classroom essentials. Contents may vary depending on donations, funding, and student grade level.
5. How are applications reviewed?
Applications are reviewed based on the program's eligibility requirements and the resources available for each program year. Our goal is to ensure a fair and transparent process for all applicants.
6. Will every applicant receive a backpack?
While we strive to support as many students as possible, assistance is subject to available funding, donated supplies, and program capacity.
7. How can I donate school supplies?
Individuals, businesses, schools, and community organizations can support the program by donating new school supplies or making a financial contribution. Please visit our Donate page or Contact Us to learn more about current donation opportunities.
8. How can I volunteer?
We welcome volunteers who would like to help organize supplies, prepare backpacks, assist with distribution events, and support community outreach. Visit our Get Involved page for volunteer opportunities.
9. Can my business or organization become a program partner?
Absolutely. We value partnerships with businesses, schools, faith groups, community organizations, and other supporters who share our commitment to helping students succeed. Please contact us to discuss partnership opportunities.
10. How can I stay informed about the program?
Follow Palmer Rise Community Services on social media and visit our website regularly for announcements, registration dates, volunteer opportunities, and program updates.
TOGETHER, WE CAN HELP THEM SUCCEED
Every Student Deserves Strong Start
Every backpack, every donation, every volunteer, and every community partnership helps remove barriers to education and gives students the confidence to begin the school year prepared to learn. Together, we can create opportunities, strengthen our community, and ensure more children and youth have the resources they need to succeed.