Welcome Hall Mission helps Montreal students head back-to-school with their heads held high
Posted August 11, 2023 9:22 am.
Last Updated August 11, 2023 6:54 pm.
The 22nd edition of Welcome Hall Mission’s Back-to-School event, “Rentrée la Tête Haute” takes place Friday.
They say that 2,000 children and teens in Montreal have been invited to choose backpacks and school supplies in anticipation of the start of the new school year.
“The aim of the event is to equip families with all they need for the upcoming school year, inform parents about various community resources that are available to help the whole family stay balanced, as well as help their children’s academic and mental health development,” explains the Mission.
In addition to the choosing of backpacks, some activities will take place outdoors where popcorn will be served and games will be available to play – like basketball.
“It’s actually pretty cool because I didn’t expect this to be an event,” said Randy Rickwood, who was with his daughter Jodi. “I thought we were just walking in, grabbing some stuff and going home. And then to be presented with this, it was kind of sweet, especially to see her face.”
Welcome Hall Mission Montreal back-to-school backpack event on Aug, 11, 2023. (CREDIT: Gareth Madoc-Jones, CityNews Image)
Welcome Hall Mission Montreal back-to-school backpack event on Aug, 11, 2023. (CREDIT: Gareth Madoc-Jones, CityNews Image)
“The idea is that kids, when they go back to school, they should really be able to go back to school with their head held high,” said Welcome Hall Mission president and CEO Sam Watts. “And that means being well-equipped with the things that you need in order for academic success.”
Watts adds that inflation has had a big impact on families and their revenues.
“We’re seeing more need because everybody sees that with inflation and with some of the realities that are going on out there, it’s a struggle,” said Watts. “And expenses are going up for school supplies, on average for the backpack, that the schools are asking you to supply with your child, it’s up by $20 to $30 dollars at retail.”
Watts says the Welcome Hall Mission used to primarily help who were unemployed. That’s changing.
“Demand has been going up ever since the beginning of the pandemic in terms of need,” added Watts. “And of course, with the kind of inflation that we’ve seen, we’re seeing a rise in demand. And of course, here in Montreal North, we’re dealing with a borough where kids, the kids and the families in need are in rising numbers.”
“Especially this year. Well, obviously it’s not news that inflation has been pretty crazy for the last couple of years. So I know several people have said this will help a great deal, including myself,” said Rickwood.
