BACK TO SCHOOL CAMPAIGN
The Invisible Backpack
No Student Should Carry It Alone.
Every student carries an invisible backpack — hunger, instability, the weight of things no one sees. No student should carry it alone. Help us lighten the load this fall, and help carry it all year long.
THE INVISIBLE BACKPACK
Some weight you can't see.
Every student carries an invisible backpack — the worry, hunger, and instability that make it harder to learn. Our Site Coordinators work inside schools to connect students with the resources that remove those barriers and the tools they need to succeed. We’re the connector — and the community makes it possible. As a donor, you help lighten the load.
Basic Needs
We connect students to hygiene supplies, clothing, and everyday essentials that lift the weight of unmet needs before a student ever sits down to learn.
Academic Support
We link students to tutoring and encouragement that keep them on track and moving toward graduation.
Mentorship
We surround students with a caring, consistent adult — the cornerstone of the CIS model and the heart of being present.
MONTHLY = RELIABLE
Help lighten the load all year long.
Back to school is one week. The invisible backpack is every day. Monthly giving means a student can count on you long after the first bell — and it’s the most powerful way to support this work.
Encourager
Incentive rewards and recognition that help students stay engaged and celebrate milestones.
Provider
Essential school supplies, hygiene items, and basic-needs support that remove barriers to learning.
Builder
A semester of small-group programming — life skills, resilience, and healthy coping.
Mentor
Sponsors one student’s full year of mentorship — the cornerstone of the CIS model.
Champion
A case-managed student’s complete wrap-around support for a full year.
MAKE AN IMMEDIATE DIFFERENCE
Give once. Make an immediate difference.
Prefer a one-time gift? Every level meets a real need students face this fall.
Helps meet immediate student needs.
Your gift helps provide school supplies, hygiene items, snacks, clothing, and other essentials so students arrive at school ready to learn—not distracted by unmet basic needs.
Helps students stay engaged in school.
Your gift helps provide tutoring, enrichment activities, and positive incentives that encourage attendance, celebrate progress, and keep students moving toward success.
Helps remove barriers before they become crises.
Your gift helps Site Coordinators connect students and families with resources such as food assistance, transportation, clothing, mental health services, and other supports that keep students in school and focused on learning.
Helps surround students with caring adults.
Your gift helps sustain the individualized support, mentoring relationships, family engagement, and coordinated services that help students overcome challenges and stay on the path to graduation.
Rather donate items than dollars?
Meet students’ and families’ day-to-day needs by donating laundry and hygiene kits, clothing, snacks, and more.
SHOW UP IN THE COMMUNITY
Be present this season.
Giving is one way to show up. Here’s where you’ll find us — and how you can join in — this back-to-school season.
Community Partner
Volunteer Hampton Roads
Supply Drive Challenge
Join the regional Supply Drive Challenge collecting the essentials students across Hampton Roads need to start the year ready.
Tuesday · July 28
Westhaven Elementary
Back-to-School Community Event
CISofHR on-site connecting students and families with the resources and support they need for day one.
Sunday · August 16
We Will Student Launch
Richard Bowling Elementary · Norfolk
A free community day — backpacks, haircuts, health screenings, clothing, and food & resources. CISofHR is a proud partner.
Want to host a drive or partner with us?
If your business, church, school, or community group would like to team up with CISofHR on a supply drive or back-to-school effort, our Community Engagement Coordinator, Hallie Shook, would love to hear from you.
Being present isn't a season.
Help lighten the load this fall — then help lighten it all year. When the community shows up every month, so can we.
Communities In Schools of Hampton Roads · Being Present Matters