Since 2015, Raven Supply has supported the Frank Hurt Secondary School through the Adopt-a-School program, an initiative of The Vancouver Sun Children’s Fund. One of Surrey’s inner city schools, Frank Hurt Secondary has a large population of students with need for financial assistance.
We provide $5,500 in funding per year for the school to spend wherever they see a need. Whether it’s buying prescription eyeglasses, lunch for hungry students or paying sports fees, this critical funding is encouraging youth-at-risk to keep going to class and stay in school.
We are always glad to learn of students whom have benefited from the program, such as one Grade 10 student whose confidence was visibly higher after just one afternoon. This student wanted to find a job to help his single mother but didn’t have the proper interview attire. With the emergency funds, he was able to purchase some new clothes, and with a few tips on interviewing well, he has proudly landed a job at a fast food restaurant.
This past winter, 15 food hampers including all the fixings for a holiday meal were purchased for the most vulnerable families. This was a relief to one Grade 9 student, whose mother’s long-term illness and a recent surgery has prevented her from gaining employment. This student works to get herself and her brother to school each day while keeping up with her studies. The hamper ensured there was food on the table for this family to enjoy the winter break.
Recently, we were asked if some of the funds could be spent on common items used by many students daily, such as new microwaves and a kettle for the cafeteria. We were, of course, happy to say yes.
These are only some examples of students benefiting from Raven Supply’s participation in the Adopt-a-School program, which is decreasing barriers to education in our local community and setting students on the path to success. To learn more about the Adopt-a-School initiative, visit vansunkidsfund.ca.