Centerstone recently distributed "necessity suitcases" containing items such as blankets and pajamas to Illinois foster care children. | Pexels/nappy
Centerstone recently distributed "necessity suitcases" containing items such as blankets and pajamas to Illinois foster care children. | Pexels/nappy
Centerstone, which runs a program to assist children in foster care to connect more solidly with their foster families, recently handed out suitcases containing basic necessities to a number of foster care children in southern Illinois.
The bags, called “necessity suitcases,” held personal articles such as pajamas, blankets, towels and hygiene items, with the contents being tailored to the age and gender of the child, a release issued on the Carbondale Chamber of Commerce website said.
“For years, I have seen children and youth being moved from home to home, putting their belongings in garbage bags,” Edrica McDowell, Intensive Placement Stabilization (IPS) program manager, was quoted in the release. “This gives the foster care children and youth something to keep their belongings in, something that is theirs to keep. I feel that this gives them a feeling of pride and self-importance.”
Centerstone’s IPS program works with between 45 and 60 children in the Illinois foster care system.
Alerts Sign-up