Project Rise

What an incredible evening of music, movement, and community!

Last week, DLM Food and Resources hosted a Hip Hop Workshop for Project Rise families. The event brought together kids, parents, and community members for a night full of fun and learning.

We were thrilled to welcome the talented dancers from , who taught participants the foundations of hip hop and street dance. From learning new moves to building confidence on the dance floor, everyone had the chance to get involved—and they absolutely rocked it!

The event was filled with laughter, energy, and unforgettable memories as families danced side-by-side and stepped outside their comfort zones together. Guests also enjoyed a delicious dinner and giveaways throughout the evening.

Because of our ongoing support from Akron Community Foundation, Project Rise was able to provide books for students in attendance. A huge thank you to 10K Movement for sharing their passion and talent with our community, and to everyone who joined us and made the event such a success. We can't wait to do it again!

What a sweet and memorable evening at our special Cupcake Decorating
Workshop in collaboration with DLM Food and Resources last night!

The workshop was led by a local baker from Little Loves Bakery, who guided everyone through decorating beautiful (and delicious!) cupcakes. Families also enjoyed a meal together, along with giveaways and a special bingo game.

We appreciate everyone who joined us and helped make the evening such a meaningful time of connection and community.

Special shoutout to our friends at Food and Resources for hosting this special event and at Akron Community Foundation for the funding that makes events like this possible—we are truly grateful for your continued support of our families and programs!

A reality we can’t ignore.

A new report from shows that more than 1.5 million students in the U.S. experienced homelessness during the 2023–2024 school year—a number that continues to rise.

Behind that number are children and teens facing daily challenges many of us can’t imagine—unstable housing, lack of transportation, and barriers that make simply getting to school incredibly difficult. Nearly half of these students are chronically absent, and graduation rates are significantly lower.

This is why supporting students matters more than ever.

We see firsthand how basic needs—like school supplies, hygiene items, and consistent advocacy and support—can make a real difference in helping students show up, stay engaged, and succeed.

Take a moment to read and learn more:

More Than 1.5 Million Students Experienced Homelessness. Public Schools Identified and Supported Them. Public schools identified a record 1.5 million students experiencing homelessness in 2023–2024. Here are six key trends from the latest federal data.