Children’s Programs

 

SCHOOL SUPPLIES
School supply drives are coordinated in the community each July and August to gather needed materials for children returning to school.   Additionally, PRISM keeps an ongoing inventory of school supplies for families to access for their children throughout the school year.

Eligibility
Residency Requirements
To be eligible, you must live in Golden Valley, South of 42nd Avenue in Crystal, New Hope, or Robbinsdale, or East of 494 in Plymouth. Exceptions may be made if you were referred by a local church or are currently homeless.

Additional Requirement
You must have school age children


Making an appointment
You may obtain school supplies when you come to PRISM for any other appointment, or you can schedule a separate appointment for school supplies. Call (763) 529-1350 if you want a separate appointment.

Bring to the appointment

  • Photo ID
  • Proof of residence such as a recent piece of mail
  • Proof of each child’s age

 

Late August, PRISM distributes school supplies for the new school year.

Throughout the year, you may visit the Birthday Room where you can select any available school supplies that you need.

How can I support the School Supplies Program?
The following is a list of the school supplies that are in greatest need this year. To download an easy to print and read version of this list to distribute to your organization, click here.


 

 

 

HOLIDAYS AND BIRTHDAYS
PRISM Birthday Shop provides presents, party supplies and favors for your child’s birthday party.

PRISM Santa Shop provides holiday presents approximately 2 weeks before the holidays.  Wrapping paper and other supplies may also be available.

Through the support of New Hope Women of Today and the Crystal Target Shopping Center…This holiday event allows children to shop for presents at Target for family members.

Eligibility
Residency Requirements
To be eligible, you must live in Golden Valley, South of 42nd Avenue in Crystal, New Hope, or Robbinsdale, or East of 494 in Plymouth. Exceptions may be made if you were referred by a local church or are currently homeless.

Additional Requirement
You must also have a child under the age of 18 by his/her upcoming birthday

Appointments

  • Call (763) 529-1350 to schedule
  • Bring to the appointment
  • Photo ID
  • Proof of residence such as a recent piece of mail
  • Proof of each child’s birthdate

Additional information about the Birthday Shop

  • The birthday being celebrated must occur within 30 days of the appointment
  • In special cases, the toys in the birthday room are available for other purposes by caseworker referral only. Clients requesting use of the birthday room for reasons other than a child’s birthday need to speak with a caseworker before making an appointment.
  • During the appointment (approximately ½ hour), you may choose 3 gifts for your child, one from each pricing category (“small,” “medium,” and “large”) along with party decorations and favors.

Additional Information about the Holiday Shop

  • You may come and choose Holiday presents for each of your children approximately two weeks before the Holidays.
  • You must come to PRISM and sign up for a time slot in person before the distribution day. Sign-up begins September 1 or the first business day in September
  • Come to the distribution site at your appointment time and sign in with a PRISM staff person
  • A “Santa’s Helper” will then take you through the room and help you choose gifts, clothing, and other items.
Crystal Target Christmas Shopping for Kids

The New Hope Women of Today sponsor this event in which about 50 children of PRISM clients may be accompanied to the Crystal Target store by a volunteer, to shop for presents for his/her family members.  Target makes special concessions for these early morning shoppers, and ushers the children and volunteers into the employee’s break-room after shopping is complete.  There, with materials provided by Target, and with assistance from some Target employees who volunteer, the children can wrap the gifts they selected.  Refreshments are provided (by Target) and a surprise visit from … it’s a surprise.

Prior to the event:

  • You must come to PRISM and meet with a caseworker
  • You must have proof of address and ID cards for each of your children
  • You will then be given a date and time slot to come and shop
  • You will also receive a release form that must be signed at the time of registration