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Students seek supply donations for foster care youth

Daniel Ball, an MSW student intern at Strong Able Youth Speaking Out (SAYSO), and the School’s Social Work Student Organization (SoWoSO), are teaming up to collect items for youth in foster care, who sometimes must move in and out of care using trash bags.

“My field instructor gave me the task of increasing awareness about some of the small but dehumanizing intricacies surrounding the removal of youth from their parents’ home,” said Ball. “She shared the story told by one of SAYSO’s members. The individual was leaving their home to enter foster care with all of their personal belongings in trash bags. It was raining and one of the trash bags broke, spilling the contents on the ground. It was this story that inspired the creation of the Give a Child a Smile suitcase drive. As a former foster child, I related to this story. I felt I could do more than raise awareness.”

Please consider donating gently used or new duffle bags, backpacks or bag stuffers (i.e, toiletries, toothbrushes, lotion, body wash, soap, small blankets, etc.) for SAYSO.

A donation box will be in the School lobby the week of Oct. 20. You can also bring items to Dr. Lisa Zerden‘s office (room 350) or Ronni Zuckerman in the field office (3rd floor) any time before then. Donation receipts are available.