Back 2 School Program

The Perry County Difference: Referrals are accepted from all sources with no referral restrictions beyond Perry County residence. 

In 2021, 500+ first to twelfth graders were given school supplies.  In 2019 100+ received free hair cuts and in 2021 over 500+ received a new pair of shoes. Join Hands Ministry back-2-school campaign invites the public to participate either by donating financially or by donating  new backpacks and school supplies for those children in need.

• Provide brand new backpacks and school supplies to low income children in time  for the new school year. Alleviate a financial burden for the teachers, families, and other service entities.
• Provide a student with all the tools they need to learn and have a successful learning experience.
• Provide children with the experience of having something new and allowing them to be excited for the start of school.
• To help these children look and feel more like their peers which increases  self-esteem and helps to eliminate bullying and peer scrutiny.
• Smiles.  Our program now welcomes the children we serve to our building and are partnered with an adult who is a Join Hands volunteer, leader in the community. This connects the community with the children for a couple of  minutes to discuss the supplies and their life. This is more work and service, yet, the community meets this need with a personal touch. This  is the Perry County way. That volunteer shopper aids the child to choose  the perfect backpack and school supplies sending them back to school  with confidence.

All of our programs are based off of private donors.   In past years and this current year, a HUGE thanks to, Perry County Community Foundation,  AmeriHealth Caritas and Shollenberger, Januzzi & Wolfe, LLP, we were able to meet the shoe need.  Also, thank you to Country Footwear & More of Newport, PA for working with us to fit 300+ pairs of shoes. 

After  our 2016 year with our Back 2 School Program, we asked the parents we  serve "if" other needs existed.  They answered with, "haircuts".  This past year were again empower to meet this need.  A HUGE thank you to Amy, owner of Curl Up & Dye w/ Style and Marysville Lioness Club, we provided 66 haircuts. 

• Applications Open on July 12, 2022
• Back 2 School Haircuts Aug 15 & 17
• Back 2 School Supplies Pickup 
  • Aug 8,9,10 (approximately)
• Back 2 School Shoe Vouchers 
  • Will be handed out when School Supplies is picked up.

"Join Hands helped with back to school supplies.  Giving all 3 my son's back  packs to start the school year.  We were in a pinch. So it got their school year started without the  stress of not having book bags and  supplies. Thank you.” - T  

“I needed financial help in paying for some bills, school supplies and some Christmas gifts for my daughter to have a good Christmas the past couple years.  Join Hands provided enough financial help to keep our apartment a little longer until I found a job, they helped my daughter have a good Christmas the past couple years and helped provide her with   the necessary supplies for school.
 

I didn't have to choose between our apartment's bills and giving my daughter what she needs” - B