Project Rise

06/02/2026

What an incredible evening of music, movement, and community!

Last week, DLM Food and Resources hosted a Hip Hop Workshop for Project Rise families. The event brought together kids, parents, and community members for a night full of fun and learning.

We were thrilled to welcome the talented dancers from , who taught participants the foundations of hip hop and street dance. From learning new moves to building confidence on the dance floor, everyone had the chance to get involved—and they absolutely rocked it!

The event was filled with laughter, energy, and unforgettable memories as families danced side-by-side and stepped outside their comfort zones together. Guests also enjoyed a delicious dinner and giveaways throughout the evening.

Because of our ongoing support from Akron Community Foundation, Project Rise was able to provide books for students in attendance. A huge thank you to 10K Movement for sharing their passion and talent with our community, and to everyone who joined us and made the event such a success. We can't wait to do it again!

05/21/2026

A huge THANK YOU to the students and families of Northside Christian Academy for their incredible generosity and service during their Mission Day on May 8th!

As part of a day dedicated to serving our local community, NCA students organized and collected hygiene products for Project Rise families. Together, they donated 13 large canvas bags, each filled with 10–12 freezer bags packed with new hygiene items for families in need.

Not only did the students collect the items, but they also spent time organizing and packaging everything with care and compassion. Their kindness and hard work will make a meaningful difference for so many families in our program.

We are so grateful for your partnership and for the hearts of service you are growing in your students. Thank you, North Side Christian Academy, for supporting Project Rise and our community!

05/14/2026

Today we would like to recognize some amazing students from Cuyahoga Valley Christian Academy and their organization, Share to Care, for their generous donation of new hygiene products to Project Rise!

Last week, Faith and Clara of the CVCA Share to Care Organization personally delivered the items to our office, and we are so grateful for their kindness, leadership, and heart for serving others.

The mission of Share to Care is to support children experiencing homelessness in the Akron community, and their efforts are making a real difference for local families.

Thank you for helping our students and families feel supported, cared for, and valued!

05/06/2026

Over the weekend, a group of girls in the Project Rise program were able to share a meaningful and fun experience our Project Rise girls recently had through the “Softball Sisters” program with the Firestone High School softball team!

The girls were invited to spend the day at Firestone High School softball practice, where they got to meet the team and even participate in activities alongside the players. It was a wonderful opportunity to build confidence, try something new, and connect with strong role models!

Following practice, everyone shared lunch together and enjoyed some relaxing coloring and activity time. Each Project Rise guest was also gifted her own glove, softball, and a special commemorative ball signed by the Firestone players to remember the day.

To top it all off, the girls will be attending a Firestone game this week to cheer on their new “Softball Sisters” from the stands!

We are incredibly grateful for experiences like this that encourage mentorship, joy, and empowerment for our girls.

The Firestone Softball Players even teamed up to collect new, full size hygiene products for families served by Project Rise. Thank you so much to all who were involved in this amazing support!

Special shoutout to Akron Community Foundation for their generous funding of our Out of School Time Experiences for students!

04/23/2026

We are thankful for you all!

04/17/2026

What a sweet and memorable evening at our special Cupcake Decorating
Workshop in collaboration with DLM Food and Resources last night!

The workshop was led by a local baker from Little Loves Bakery, who guided everyone through decorating beautiful (and delicious!) cupcakes. Families also enjoyed a meal together, along with giveaways and a special bingo game.

We appreciate everyone who joined us and helped make the evening such a meaningful time of connection and community.

Special shoutout to our friends at Food and Resources for hosting this special event and at Akron Community Foundation for the funding that makes events like this possible—we are truly grateful for your continued support of our families and programs!

04/16/2026

Many APS students rely on basic essentials to feel comfortable and ready to learn. Project RISE is collecting items like bedding, laundry detergent, hygiene products, lotion, and gift cards for groceries, gas, and everyday needs. Your donation makes a direct impact on local families.

To give or learn more, contact Project RISE at 330-761-2969 or [email protected].

04/10/2026

A reality we can’t ignore.

A new report from shows that more than 1.5 million students in the U.S. experienced homelessness during the 2023–2024 school year—a number that continues to rise.

Behind that number are children and teens facing daily challenges many of us can’t imagine—unstable housing, lack of transportation, and barriers that make simply getting to school incredibly difficult. Nearly half of these students are chronically absent, and graduation rates are significantly lower.

This is why supporting students matters more than ever.

We see firsthand how basic needs—like school supplies, hygiene items, and consistent advocacy and support—can make a real difference in helping students show up, stay engaged, and succeed.

Take a moment to read and learn more:

Public schools identified a record 1.5 million students experiencing homelessness in 2023–2024. Here are six key trends from the latest federal data.

04/06/2026

A big thank you to SeibertKeck Insurance Partners for spreading some Easter joy! They generously donated 60 Easter bags to Project Rise, each filled with coloring books, art supplies, candy and treats.

Your thoughtful support helped brighten the days of the students and families we serve, and we are so grateful for partners like you who care!

03/31/2026

Huge shoutout to Northside Christian Academy for their generous donation of 75 bottles of brand new laundry detergent to Project Rise.. with more coming after spring break!

This thoughtful contribution will make a real, everyday difference for families we serve—helping ease one of those basic but important needs that often gets overlooked.

What makes this even more special is how the connection came to be. Michael Lamp, librarian at East CLC, and Meredith Kelley, an English teacher at East, co-lead a student-run podcast focused on local community issues.

Ms. Kelley connected Jen Montisano of Project Rise to be a guest on the podcast. From there, a representative from Northside Christian Academy learned about Project Rise—showing just how powerful word of mouth and community connections can be.

We are so grateful for partnerships like this that bring people together to support our students and families. Thank you, Northside Christian Academy families, for your kindness and commitment to making a difference!