Technically May is National Foster Care Awareness Month but I like to bring attention to this issue around my birthday each year since I personally have experienced this adversity and will always use my platform to raise awareness around it.

I was a child who was not in an ideal home, went to a foster home, later to group home then aged out and struggled with where I was going to go after. My experience is not unique. Approx 400,000 children are in foster care at any given time.

So why am I bringing this up?…. Because of trash bags. 

I’m not sure if you’re aware of the significance between trash bags and foster kids.

Foster kids need to immediately leave a difficult home situation and they typically get a trash bag and about 10 minutes to pack up their lives and bring it to their new home.

Think about the mindset that comes along with this. Trash bags are for trash. These kids already live in a world of possible abuse, neglect, chaos, and feel like they are being thrown out. Just like you would throw out your trash. This has a profound effect on self-esteem and feelings of worthlessness, especially for older kids. 

There are so many odds stacked against kids when entering foster care. They’re in unfamiliar environments, often have or have had no stability. There is a tremendous amount of difficulty with trust. Especially trusting adults. Foster children need safe and nurturing homes and just like all children, these kids need healthy relationships. 

Would it be ideal for these children to not be in the terrible situations that got them in foster care?
YES

Would it be ideal for more people to open their homes and hearts to foster kids?
YES

But do these children end up being the topic of small talk and not much more?
YES

 So here’s my plea. DO SOMETHING!

I know there are so many organizations and important causes that our time and money could go to. I get it. But these are kids. These are kids that have suffered, will suffer and need a shot at a good life. 

So start small. Donate to some organizations. I listed some below that help provide kids suitcases for them to transition to their new foster homes instead of trash bags. 

That one small change can make a difference in a kid’s mindset. Foster children are not trash, they should not lug their stuff around as if they were. 

If 2020 has brought us anything it has been awareness. Awareness of the things that are happening outside of our bubble. 

I personally will never stop talking about my experience with growing up in foster and group homes. It has given me the resilience and strength to not only change my own life but others going through something similar. So I guess that means for you, you’ll be hearing more from me…

Organizations

Suitcases Of Hope 

Large duffle bag of essential items for kids entering the foster care system.

https://www.suitcaseshope.com/

Together We Rise and their Sweet Cases Initiative

Sponsor a duffle bag. When most children enter foster care they receive two trash bags.

https://www.togetherwerise.org/sweet-cases-for-foster-children/

Comfort Cases

Kits are packed with pj’s, stuffed animals, toiletries, etc.

https://www.comfortcases.org/

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