Join Hands Ministry’s Back to School program supports youth in need by providing essential items such as clothing, new sneakers, winter coats, backpacks, and school supplies. This initiative helps ease the financial strain on families, allowing students to begin the school year with confidence and focus on their education.
By equipping youth with necessary resources, the program promotes academic success, boosts self-esteem, and fosters a positive start to the school year.
What is the Back-to-School program?
Join Hands Ministry’s back-to-school program provides necessary supplies to students and teachers of Perry County, PA, including school supplies, backpacks, clothing, sneakers, and winter coats.
I am a parent of school aged children, can my children participate?
If you and your children are residents of Perry County you are invited to complete an application to attend our Back to School Program. The application will be available on the Join Hands Ministry’s website and social media outlets at the time of its opening date. Please note that attendance is limited to Perry County residents.
How do I sign my child(ren) up for this event?
Each year, Join Hands Ministry will provide an application on our website and through our social media outlets for parents complete to sign their child(ren) up for the event. Please keep an eye out for the application to open around the middle of June or early July of each year.
Where is the event held?
The event is held at the Newport Assembly of God Family Life Center located at 27 West Shortcut Road, Newport, PA
Does my child(ren) have to be present at the event?
Yes, the youth has to be present with the parent or guardian the day of the event.
What will my child(ren) receive at the event?
At the back-to-school event, there will be sneakers, winter coats, clothing, backpacks, and school supplies. While we strive to provide all of the essentials for each child, we cannot guarantee the availability of size, color, or brand which may result in your child not receiving one or more of these items.
Can my pre-k child participate in the back-to-school program?
No. The back-to-school program is designed for students from K-12.
Where can I find additional information about the program and how the program works?
The application for the program provides additional information and requirements. Due to regular evaluations of the program, it is important that you read through the instructions, information, eligibility, and requirements of the program found at the beginning of the application each year. If you have questions after reading the information in the application thoroughly, you can contact our office during regular operating hours.
I am a teacher at a Perry County, PA school, am I eligible?
Yes, if you teach at one of the four Perry County, PA school districts, you are invited to attend our Back to School for teachers event. Each school is provided with a flyer to be distributed to the teachers with the date of the event.
What is provided at the event?
At the event, participating teachers will have the opportunity to pick up free school supplies for their classrooms. These supplies are generously provided by Join Hands Ministry to support local educations in their important work.
How do I register to attend the teachers’ event?
Unlike in the past, teachers are no longer required to register to participate in the event.
When is the teachers’ event?
Join Hands Ministry has provided each school a copy of the event flyer with the information needed for this event. If you did not receive it, please reach out to Join Hands Ministry as the date of the event is subject to change each year.
Do I need to provide anything the day of the event?
As a Perry County, PA teacher, you will be required to show proof. Starting in 2025, each teacher will need to present an ID card that shows you are a teacher at one of the Perry County, PA school districts to be admitted into the event.