Back To School
Every September, children across our communities start the school year without the basic supplies they need to learn and thrive. Our Back-to-School Empowerment Program exists to change that — equipping children from families facing financial hardship with backpacks, school supplies, and everyday essentials so they can begin the year with confidence and dignity.
By the Numbers
Children supported in Ontario, Canada
Children supported through our partnership in Nigeria
Ages 3 through Grade 4, depending on location
Delivered through trusted school, church, and community partners
Who We Serve
We prioritize children from families experiencing financial hardship, including households led by single mothers and widows, so that money worries never have to stand between a child and their first day of school.
What We Provide
School backpacks, pencil cases, notebooks, and exercise books
Crayons, colour pencils, markers, pens and pencils, erasers, and rulers
Scissors, glue sticks, and art supplies
Lunch bags and water bottles
How It Works
We partner with schools, churches, and community organizations who know their communities best. These trusted partners help us identify children who need support and ensure that donated items reach them directly safely, respectfully, and with dignity.
Growing Our Reach
What began as a program for children in Ontario is now growing beyond our borders. In 2026, we are extending the program to Nigeria for the first time, delivering school supplies to children in widow-led households through a partnership with a local community foundation.
Family-First Job Training Program
Many of the widows and single mothers we meet are working two, sometimes three jobs just to make ends meet — often in roles with unpredictable hours that pull them away from their children exactly when they’re needed most. Our Family-First Job Training Program helps women build the skills for stable, better-paying work, so they can support their families without giving up the time they need with their kids.
Why This Matters
- Help participants qualify for higher-paying, single-job employment instead of working multiple jobs to get by
- Prioritize training and job-placement support for roles with stable, predictable, family-friendly hours
- Reduce the number of hours mothers are away from their children
- Build long-term financial independence and stability — not just short-term income
Who We Serve
Widows and single mothers who are the sole or primary income earners for their households, particularly those juggling multiple jobs or unpredictable shift work just to get by.
What We Provide
- Job readiness training — resume building, interview preparation, and workplace skills
- Skills development and certification support in in-demand fields
- Entrepreneurship and small business training for those interested in self-employment
- Financial literacy education
- Mentorship and networking opportunities
- Guidance connecting participants to employers offering stable, family-friendly schedules
How It Works
We work with each participant to understand her skills, goals, and scheduling needs, then match her with training and, where possible, employer partners who value work-life balance. Our goal isn’t just a job — it’s a job that lets a mother be present for her children.
HealthShield Program
Across Africa, widowhood and single motherhood often mean the sudden loss of a household’s main income — and, just as often, the loss of whatever health coverage came with it. For Black women and their children across the region, the result is the same story again and again: a single illness or emergency can push an entire family deeper into poverty, and children go without the routine and urgent care they need. Our HealthShield Program helps cover the cost of health insurance for widows, single mothers, and their children, so a medical emergency never has to mean a financial catastrophe.
Why This Matters
- Widowhood and single motherhood often mean losing household income and health coverage at the same time
- Out-of-pocket healthcare costs are one of the leading causes of financial hardship for women-led households across Africa
- Children without health coverage are more likely to go without routine check-ups, vaccinations, and emergency care
- Reliable access to healthcare allows mothers to stay healthy, stay working, and stay present for their children
Who We Serve
Widows and single mothers across Sub-Saharan Africa, and their children, particularly those without access to employer-based or government health coverage.
What We Provide
- Contributions toward national or community health insurance premiums
- Coverage support for children under the same household plan
- Guidance navigating local health insurance enrollment
- Referrals to partner clinics and health programs for routine and maternal care
How It Works
We work with local partner organizations and insurance companies who identify widows and single mothers most in need of coverage, verify eligibility, and help enroll families in available health insurance schemes. Where national programs aren’t accessible, we contribute directly toward the cost of care through vetted local partners.
Across Africa, widowhood and single motherhood often mean the sudden loss of a household’s main income — and, just as often, the loss of whatever health coverage came with it. For Black women and their children across the region, the result is the same story again and again: a single illness or emergency can push an entire family deeper into poverty, and children go without the routine and urgent care they need. Our HealthShield Program helps cover the cost of health insurance for widows, single mothers, and their children, so a medical emergency never has to mean a financial catastrophe.
Why This Matters
- Widowhood and single motherhood often mean losing household income and health coverage at the same time
- Out-of-pocket healthcare costs are one of the leading causes of financial hardship for women-led households across Africa
- Children without health coverage are more likely to go without routine check-ups, vaccinations, and emergency care
- Reliable access to healthcare allows mothers to stay healthy, stay working, and stay present for their children
Who We Serve
Widows and single mothers across Sub-Saharan Africa, and their children, particularly those without access to employer-based or government health coverage.
What We Provide
- Contributions toward national or community health insurance premiums
- Coverage support for children under the same household plan
- Guidance navigating local health insurance enrollment
- Referrals to partner clinics and health programs for routine and maternal care
How It Works
We work with local partner organizations who identify widows and single mothers most in need of coverage, verify eligibility, and help enroll families in available health insurance schemes. Where national programs aren’t accessible, we contribute directly toward the cost of care through vetted local partners.
Grow With Confidence Program
Between the ages of 8 and 17, children go through enormous physical changes changes that can affect how confident they feel at school, at play, and in everyday life. For children in families facing financial hardship, something as simple as deodorant, body wash, or a first box of sanitary pads can be out of reach. Our Grow With Confidence Program provides body care and personal hygiene products to children and youth as they grow, so that no child has to feel embarrassed or left out because of something as fixable as access to basic care products.
Why This Matters
- Growth and puberty bring new hygiene needs that many families struggle to afford
- Without basic personal care products, children may avoid school, sports, or social activities out of embarrassment
- Confidence in one’s changing body is closely tied to self-esteem, especially during adolescence
- Access to these basics is a simple, practical way to protect a child’s dignity as they grow
Who We Serve
Children and youth ages 8 to 17 from families experiencing financial hardship, with care packages adapted to different ages and stages of growth.
What We Provide
- Body wash, deodorant, and lotion
- Hair care basics, including shampoo, conditioner, and combs or brushes
- Oral care items, including toothbrushes and toothpaste
- Menstrual hygiene products for those who need them
- Age appropriate grooming basics for growing bodies
How It Works
We partner with schools, churches, and community organizations to identify children who could benefit from a Grow With Confidence care package, and distribute kits directly through these trusted partners, discreetly and with dignity. Alongside our Back-to-School and Body Confident programs, this initiative ensures that support for growing children and teens doesn’t stop at school supplies alone.