A Confident Start for Every Child
The start of the school year should spark excitement and possibility… a time when you dream big!
Sadly, for many children and families, back-to-school is one of the most stressful times.
Nearly 1 in 4 children live in low-income households—facing barriers that can affect their school readiness, health, and long-term success.
That’s where United Way’s Ready for School steps in.
Ready for School helps school-aged children start the school year feeling confident, comfortable, and ready to take on the day! Whether they need school supplies or cold weather gear, we want to ensure they have the opportunity to put their best foot forward.
How it works:
Once a child iIs referred to the program, they will be contacted to schedule a personalized shopping experience at the local mall and receive a $200 gift card to shop for essentials which includes:
Eligibility
Children ages 4 to 13 are eligible for the program and must be referred to Ready for School by a participating school or community agency. Priority is given to families who are experiencing financial hardship.
Important Dates
• Referral Deadline: July 11
• Shopping Day: August 14 (qualifying families will be contacted with scheduled time slots)
Contact Information
Sudbury: Helen Yaschyshyn, Programs Coordinator - [email protected]
Timmins: Marnie Lapierre, Programs and Volunteer Resources Lead - [email protected]
North Bay: Tamika Daniels, Regional Manager, Nipissing/Parry Sound - [email protected]
If you are a school or community agency looking to recommend a student for the Ready for School program, please submit a request below:
For more information, please call 705-560-3330 or email [email protected].