News Article

CNA helps families overcome back to school costs


9/15/2010 9:30:09 AM


For single parent families the expenses of putting a child through school can be overwhelming. There are many moms and dads facing such expenses at College of the North Atlantic’s (CNA) St. John’s campuses, that’s why the Office of Alumni & Advancement decided to take action.

In August, the Alumni Association organized a donation drive at the Prince Philip Drive (PPD) campus to assist the Single Parent Association of Newfoundland (SPAN) with the filling and distribution of the 400 backpacks needed for registered families in the metro St. John’s area.

SPAN advocates on behalf of single parents and raises public awareness around the unique situations they encounter. The services they offer include: information, crisis intervention, peer support groups, back to school projects whereby children are provided with clothing for physical education, as well as basic school supplies and book bags. These kits are distributed twice a year, in September and January.

“The response was overwhelming!” states Lisa Shallow, CNA’s Manager of Alumni and Advancement. “Although numbers are few at the campuses this time of year, we received several fully stocked backpacks, and a cartload of school supplies besides.”

Although this campaign is meant to assist the younger Kindergarten to junior high age group, there will likely be families included with high school age children, and SPAN aims to assist whole families where possible. Many monetary donations were also received during the drive, which will be used by SPAN to purchase any needed supplies to complete the backpacks.

“SPAN sends a heartfelt thank you to all those at College of the North Atlantic who contributed book bags and supplies to our Back to School program,” says Yvette Walton, SPAN’s Executive Director. “You have helped a number of children from single parent families start off a new school year on a positive note - thank you all!”

While the August drive was for the St. John’s area, there are many community groups province-wide doing similar initiatives to support single parents and their families. SPAN’s Food and Clothing Outlet at Virginia Plaza is open on Wednesday’s and Friday’s from 10:00am-1:00pm, and 1:30-4:00pm. For more information about their services call 709-739-0709.

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Media Contact:

Roger Hulan
Communications Specialist
College of the North Atlantic
(709) 643-7938
roger.hulan@cna.nl.ca