The average foster child moves seven times before the age of 18. Often, these children are moving their possessions from place-to-place in a garbage bag. Our aim is to eliminate trash bags as an acceptable form of luggage for the foster children and teens we serve. When children are taken from their home, they typically don’t have necessities such as a toothbrush or a change of clothes. In tough situations like these, something as simple as a stuffed animal can provide a lot of comfort for a child.
This will be an ongoing project because we routinely receive new referrals from Cumberland, Gloucester, and Salem judges. There are currently over 1,400 kids in foster care within our three counties and we have teamed up with local DCP&P offices to help provide duffel bags to all those foster kids. With enough donations, we can meet our goal of replacing the trash bags these children use to transport their belongings with duffel bags full of hygiene and comfort items they need.
Court Appointed Special Advocates of Cumberland, Gloucester, and Salem Counties (CASA of CGS), is a non-profit that recruits and trains community volunteers to be a “voice in court” for children removed from their homes due to abuse and/or neglect and placed into foster care. The CASA advocates “speak up” for these children, helping them get the services they need and ensure that they find safe, permanent homes. Once the duffel bags are loaded, CASA advocates will give the duffel bags to the children they speak up for.
Wish List:
❏ Duffel bag (No backpacks please) ❏ Stuffed animal and/or journal ❏ Blanket (Small fleece throws preferred) ❏ Basic hygiene products: shampoo, conditioner, body wash/bar soap, toothbrush, toothpaste, deodorant (Travel size products preferred) (We accept hygiene products for adults and kids) * All items MUST be new
Donation drop-off locations:
CASA of CGS Office, 40 East Commerce Street, Bridgeton, NJ 08302
Cook’s Cleaners, 1163 Shiloh Pike, Bridgeton, NJ 08302
Contact Hillary Nichols with questions or to schedule a pick-up at: hillary@casaofcgs.org
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