(From Akron.com/West Side Leader)
Fifty-four teens in the Project RISE Unaccompanied Youth program got an early holiday gift after a group of parents from St. Hilary School in Fairlawn put together large bags full of snacks and Christmas goodies. The St. Hilary parents and other helpers are shown putting together the gift bags, which also included hats, gloves, water bottles, hygiene products, handwritten cards and gift cards.
Agency officials said project coordinator Becky Vieltorf worked with Project RISE Academic Advocate Jennifer Montisano to determine what the youths’ most pressing needs were in putting together the bags, and they were delivered to the teens at their schools before the holiday break.
Agency officials said Project RISE is a federally funded program through the Ohio Department of Education and a collaborative effort by Akron Public Schools, local shelters and the Akron community to provide supplemental educational services to children and youth experiencing homelessness. During the 2017-18 school year, Project RISE identified and served approximately 2,400 students.
