Challenge: Every day in DCF offices across the state, children who have been removed from their homes and placed in foster care are waiting to find out where they will go next with their belongings in trash bags.
Solution: Send children experiencing foster care the message that they are worthy. Provide each child with a suitcase and fill them with a few special items so that they feel someone cares about them. What a great way for citizens who pay for the public foster care system to enhance the way we practice child welfare in our communities.
How It Works
The Suitcase Project is a Treehouse Foundation initiative designed to support children of all ages who are experiencing foster care: newborns, infants, toddlers, pre-schoolers, elementary age kids, middle schoolers and teens.
Our Suitcase Project Pilot Program is currently supporting kids who are being cared for by one DCF office. Our vision: to create a replicable model of the Suitcase Project for DCF offices statewide so that it each youngster who enters foster care in the Commonwealth will automatically receive a suitcase filled with age appropriate items.
How You Can Help!
To ensure that we supply a steady stream of suitcases and developmentally appropriate items such new stuffed animals, blankets, clothing, pajamas, books and/or gift cards, we need your help! We are looking for businesses who will donate items and become Suitcase Project sponsors, individuals who will act as Team Captains to secure in-kind donations, folks who will host Suitcase Events, and others who will help us transport items.
Supporting The Suitcase Project is a great way for families to introduce their kids to the idea of community service. It’s also a fun way for faith based organizations, schools, civic groups and youth groups to become part of this innovative solution. Young people celebrating their Bar and Bat Mitzvahs, birthdays and other special events can hold a suitcase drive.
To find out how you can help call 413. 527. 7966.
Out of the Foster Care Box 