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Project Rise offers several summer programs for participants to help combat summer learning loss and provide unique educational and cultural experiences for families and students experiencing homelessness.

Art and Literacy

The Summer Art and Literacy program allows families in shelters the opportunity to explore various arts and cultural experiences with a focus on reading. Project Rise partners with The Akron-Summit County Public Library’s Main Library and the Magical Theater Company, as well as numerous other community organizations, to provide these workshops. 

Throughout the program, there is emphasis on five pillars of learning – confidence and independence, knowledge and understanding, skills and strategies, use of prior and emerging experience, and critical reflection.

Field Trips

Project Rise provides participants with the opportunity to visit some of the most beautiful and interesting places within an hour's drive from Akron. Families enjoy all kinds of activities from park outings to arts and cultural events and performances. These experiences help neutralize some of their negative experiences and trauma.

Educational and cultural field trips
Project Rise offers families in shelters the opportunity to go on educational and cultural field trips, where they can learn and bond in safe, nurturing environments. In the past, families have visited Cuyahoga Valley National Park, the McKinley Museum in Canton, the Great Lakes Science Center in Cleveland, and Stan Hywet Hall and Gardens in Akron.

Museum trips and campfires
All Project Rise participants are eligible to join us for field trips to the Akron Art Museum and campfires in the Cuyahoga Valley National Park.

Not having permanent, long-term housing can impact your child in and out of school. Students who experience sudden life changes like switching homes or schools may have trouble learning, mood swings and anxiety.

Project Rise understands what you’re going through and can provide resources and assistance to help students and families.

Understanding your rights

You may qualify for certain rights when it comes to your APS student’s education. Project Rise can help you understand these rights and assist you with things like enrollment, attendance and transportation.

Help at School

Each Project Rise student at APS is assigned an academic advocate. Our advocates are professionals who work in the schools to make sure students have someone they can turn to so they stay on track.

Food Assistance

When students are hungry, they have a hard time concentrating and performing in school. That’s why Project Rise partners with DLM Food & Resources, which includes a food pantry, available for program participants.

For more information about how we help students and their families, contact:
Project Rise
330.761.2969
projectrise@apslearns.org

If you’re living on your own, staying with friends or relatives, or just moving around a lot, Project Rise can help. We assist teenagers and unaccompanied youth so they stay on track in school and in life. We do this by providing assistance and a variety of resources.

Understanding your rights

You may qualify for certain rights when it comes to your education. Project Rise can help you understand these rights. We can also assist you with enrollment, attendance and transportation services.

Help at school

Through Project Rise, you will have access to an academic advocate. Advocates are assigned to specific schools in the Akron Public Schools district. Your academic advocate can check in with you on the days they are at your school and can connect you with helpful resources.

To contact your assigned advocate, please call 330.761.3087.

Assistance and resources

Project Rise has many partners that provide food, clothing, shelter and other necessities to our participants. As a Project Rise student, you will have access to such resources. We will also provide you with helpful information to guide you to other resources and services.

For more information, contact:
Project Rise
330.761.2969
projectrise@apslearns.org

There are several ways you can assist Project Rise in our mission to help Akron’s students and families experiencing homelessness. 

Refer

If you are a student living in the Akron area experiencing homelessness or you know a student or family who may be experiencing homelessness, please contact us as soon as possible or have them contact Jennifer Montisano, Project Rise homeless education liaison, at jmontisa@apslearns.org; or 330.761.2969. 

Donate 

Your monetary or in-kind donation will allow us to continue to meet the basic needs of our families and provide them with services, programs and activities to help improve their lives. Monetary donations are used to meet the needs of the families that we serve that cannot be met with operating funds. In-kind donations are always needed as well. Our most-needed items include:

• school supplies
• hygiene products
• new shoes, new socks and new underwear
• gift cards for food and gasoline.

If you feel inclined to donate, you can use this link to donate. Please be sure to add a note with each donation; To: Project Rise From: Donor's Name. Thank you in advance for your support!

Volunteer

Project Rise, our partner organizations and the shelters we work with are always looking for a helping hand. There are opportunities for both individuals and groups. We are always looking for individuals who may be interested in helping with our tutoring program and other events.

Groups have lots of opportunities to take on a service project for Project Rise. This includes:

• group collections of most-needed items (see above).
• helping with grocery deliveries alongside our partners at https://www.dlmakron.org/.

If you are interested in volunteering or would like more information, please contact Rachel Breece at rbreece@apslearns.org or 330.761.2969. 

As someone who works with APS students and families, you are in a unique position to help us identify students who may be experiencing homelessness and need assistance. 

Identifying students experiencing homelessness 

Being homeless does not always mean living in a shelter or on the street. “Homeless” is defined as lacking a fixed, regular and adequate nighttime residence. 

This includes any child: 

• living in a shelter.
• living in a motel or campground due to the lack of an alternative, adequate accommodation.
• living in a car, park, abandoned building, or bus or train station.
• doubled up with other people due to loss of housing or economic hardship.
• not living with a parent or guardian due to hardship or an emergency circumstance.

Common signs that a student may be experiencing homelessness: 

• lacks basic utilities
• attends different schools; lacks personal records; inability to pay fees
• unmet medical or dental needs
• sick often; chronic hunger or fatigue
• attendance issues
• poor hygiene
• lack of basic supplies
• consistent loss of books and supplies
• marked change in behavior 

Please contact us for a full list, or visit nche.ed.gov.

If you believe a student you work with may be experiencing homelessness, please contact: projectrise@apslearns.org.