Some kids who have already been through some tough times are getting a little help, along with a little swag, for the upcoming school year.

On Friday, at their Long Island City headquarters, the Fortune Society handed out new bookbags to children whose parents were once incarcerated.

The non-profit helps rehabilitate people who were once jailed through initiatives like the I-CAN program. That's a measure that helps them draft resumes and prepare for job interviews.  At Friday's giveaway the kids got to pick up and decorate a new bag complete with paper, pens and art supplies. 

Comrell Peters is an I-CAN participant and says "the money I have to take to buy a school bag, I can take to put in his pocket at recess, or he can buy a snack or something. This right here helps a lot. It really does 'cause it takes a lot of strain off the parents."

This is the first time The Fortune Society has distributed backpacks for school kids. School starts September 5th.