Current CPAN Projects

What we're working on now.

Please take a moment to learn about some of CPAN's current and on-going projects geared towards helping the children of Renfrew county who live in poverty. Please know that every donation reaches and betters the life of a child in poverty! You can make a difference!

Harmony for Renfrew County

Harmony for Renfrew County strives to increase self esteem, self respect, and a sense of responsibility in youth of Renfrew County through musical expression. Youth aged 12-18 receive music lessons however, instead of paying monetary fees they are required to "pay-it-forward" through volunteerism back to the community. All students regardless of socio-economic stature, physical or mental ability are welcomed. The end result is a double gain; the community receives more volunteers and a positive perspective on youth, while the youth receive music lessons and experience the rewarding feelings from giving back to their community. Currently, we offer guitar, musical theatre, and drama programs (read Harmony program summary).

Program_Summary_Harmony_for_Renfrew_County.pdf

The Backpack Plus Program Needs your help!

Backpack Plus was created to enable all children to return to school with the tools that they need to succeed, regardless of their socioeconomic status. The goal of the Backpack Plus is to ensure that all children in Renfrew County have opportunities to participate fully in school, recreational and community activities. It is through that feeling of inclusion that children have the best chance to succeed and reach their full academic and social potential in life.

Backgrounder

The Backpack Plus program unofficially started in 2000 with the creation of CPAN, a few concerned individuals who felt strongly that action was needed to help children who live in poverty, even if this meant stuffing one backpack at a time (which they did). In 2005 CPAN applied for, and received, funding from Renfrew County National Child Benefit Reinvestment fund and Backpack Plus was born, and the program has expanded and has grown year on year. More referrals are made, more children are being helped and we never have to advertise as the support of all school boards, social agencies and organizations throughout Renfrew County, who often refer clients to this program. Many agencies and organizations have helped with distribution, and collaborate on a volunteer basis with many CPAN initiatives, Backpack Plus being one.

Backpack Plus has seen increased usage over the years. For example, during the 2006-07 school year over 1,000 children were assisted, and for the last school year this program served over 1500 low income children. This increase is due to the many facts, one being that the program is easily accessible and delivered in a dignified and respectful manner. This is extremely important as many individuals living in poverty are stigmatized and judged.

Being able to have this program available has made a big difference for children and families. Parents have phoned CPAN to thank us for allowing their child to be "just like the other children." One parent said that it was the first time her daughter had returned to school and had not been teased. The mom also said that her daughter was now enjoying school more and doing better.

In previous years Backpack Plus has been funded by Renfrew County National Child Benefit Reinvestment fund. This fund no longer exists, and despite our requests we have been unable to secure any funding from Renfrew County Social Services.

Our Request for Donations

CPAN is determined to help these children in need, who without our assistance will have to return to school unprepared to learn, and who will feel socially excluded. We know that children who are included do much better at school and are more likely to succeed, graduate and transition to post secondary education. This year we estimate that there will be a need of between 1500 to 2000 children who will need backpacks, supplies, and shoes. We need your help to do this.

1600 local children and youth need a backpack, school supplies and shoes
Can you, or someone you know help sponsor a local child?

It only costs $60 per student, per year

There are many ways that you can help, such as:

• Individual donation *
• Sponsor a child @ $60 (feel free to sponsor multiple children)
• Fundraise in your community or group (proceeds to Backpack Plus)
• Corporate donations (from employer)
• Service club, community organization, church, school, or workplace donation
• Donate in the name of others (birthday, special teacher, coach)

We need to work together to help all children in need!

Cheques can be made payable to CPAN (with Backpack Plus in memo)

Please drop off or send to:

CPAN
c\o The Phoenix Centre for Children and Families
130 Pembroke Street W
Pembroke ON K8A 5M8

CPAN
c\o The Phoenix Centre for Children and Families
191 Plaunt Street S.
Renfrew ON K7V 1M7

For more information please contact:
Lyn Smith, Coordinator
Tel: 613 735 2374 ext. 250
Fax: 613 735 2378
Email: lsmith@phoenixctr.com

Why is there the need?

Parents across Renfrew County are facing increasing financial need and challenges for their school-aged children. These challenges are evident on several fronts:

1. School Board Restraint and Footwear Regulations: School boards have been forced by financial necessity to download the cost of school supplies onto parents. School boards in Renfrew County also require students to have running shoes for classroom and gymnasium activities that have non-marking soles, and purely for indoor use. This means Renfrew County parents must purchase extra footwear for their children outside the necessary footwear required for school. Back Pack Plus has been operating for two years, and well received by low income parents, social service agencies, and schools. No advertising or marketing has been required for the Back Pack Plus program due to the overwhelming need and the support we received from all school boards, schools and social service agencies in Renfrew County.
2. School Board Restraint and Footwear Regulations: School boards have been forced by financial necessity to download the cost of school supplies onto parents. School boards in Renfrew County also require students to have running shoes for classroom and gymnasium activities that have non-marking soles, and purely for indoor use. This means Renfrew County parents must purchase extra footwear for their children outside the necessary footwear required for school. Back Pack Plus has been operating for two years, and well received by low income parents, social service agencies, and schools. No advertising or marketing has been required for the Back Pack Plus program due to the overwhelming need and the support we received from all school boards, schools and social service agencies in Renfrew County.

Unfortunately, they all too often come from the backpacks of children, from necessary footwear or clothing purchases, and/or make the painful decision to deny children school or community related activities such as; hot lunches, field trips, and participation with extracurricular activities. Parents are too often forced to make the difficult choice between meeting their families basic needs (including food), and being able to involve their children fully and adequately in their schools and communities, and see to it that they have appropriate clothing for Canada's extreme weather conditions.

We know that by removing the barriers to success we can give every child the opportunity to reach their full potential in life, regardless of their socio-economic background. It is for these reasons that CPAN is working hard to keep the Backpack Plus program running.

We can all make a huge difference in a child's life by providing this program, please help us to assist every child that needs help!

Join our Backpack Challenge.. the competition has started, and we have already had some individuals and organizations step up to the plate Read more

Please feel free to print, post, and network this on.. our children are worth it!

We need to help 1600 so far we have 308! Let's keep going! We can do it (we always do)

Operation Snowsuit

Throughout the year, CPAN collects snowsuits boots, hats and gloves and distributes them during the winter. Requests come from many sources such as community agencies, parents and schools. During the winter of 2006-2007, we had 148 requests for help, last winter (2007-2008) we recieved 207 requests and this winter (2008-2009) we recieved 273.  Through the kindness of others were able to fill them all. This help comes from individuals, businesses, and schools throughout Renfrew County. Bell Aliant has helped to pick up donated items from every school in Renfrew County as well as delivering filled orders to our member agencies to redistribute.