Welcome Hall Mission' Back-to-School with Heads Held High!

MONTREAL, QUEBEC--(Marketwire - Aug. 19, 2011) - It's the 10^th edition of Back-to-School with Heads Held High at Welcome Hall Mission. Every year, new school supplies are distributed to children of underprivileged families. We provide a festive block party to get the children excited about going back to school. This year, it's a western theme with pony rides, a mechanical bull, live music and dancing, face-painting and yummy snacks! Each of the 2,200 children registered with our Family Services receive brand new backpacks, school board approved supplies, clothing and shoes just in time for the new school year!

Cyril Morgan, CEO / Executive Director of Welcome Hall Mission, says this is a big part of the Mission's initiatives toward breaking the cycle of poverty. "Often, children from underprivileged families quit school and go to work to help with expenses. This limits their employment opportunities and they end up in the same situation as their parents. We want to encourage children to stay in school because education is key to making a real change." He adds, "Our Children's Services programs offer afterschool help with homework as well."

Many of these families are new arrivals to Canada trying to give their children a brighter future. Deepa is one such immigrant from the Island of Mauritius. "My husband and I are not familiar with half of the items on their school lists. Thankfully, the Mission gives us the bags filled with school supplies which allow our children to have everything they need to go to school with dignity."

Six of Nicole's eight children are school-aged and her husband is unemployed. "It's a lot of money, so this is really helping us!"

Nadia says receiving these new school supplies gives her peace of mind. "It's a great way of helping, especially for the integration of immigrants."

Ammar, who is living on student loans, says he feels badly that he couldn't bring his son, but he just couldn't afford the bus ticket. "We are so grateful to the people here at Welcome Hall Mission and all of the donors!"

Welcome Hall Mission would like to thank La Fondation Marcelle et Jean Coutu, ALDO and UPS for their partnership, as well as all 120 volunteers, individual donors and sponsors for taking an active role in equipping the next generation of leaders in our community.