Eastern News
 

Be a Miracle Worker

Imagine the face of a child who has never been given anything new, and has never, ever had a birthday present, receiving a new toy, some new clothes and a book from you.  Or a mother with two children who has just found an apartment after almost a year in a shelter, opening the door to find it has been completely furnished, right down to linens and lamps, by your faith community.  Or an aunt wanting to take care of her brother’s children receiving the two sets of twin beds she needs to have DCF approve her custody request.  Such miracles happen every day through the Adopt a Social Worker program. 

Each year there are about 30,000 children in the care of DCF and other child protection agencies in CT.  These are children who have been abused, neglected or are extremely impoverished.  While the social worker develops and implements the plan needed to assure the children have a safe, healthy and nurturing home, there are often physical goods needed to create the proper home environment.  By adopting a DCF or other child protection agency worker, your faith community can provide for the immediate needs of a child or family such as beds and cribs, clothing, toys, and other essentials of daily living.  And there are ways to continue support throughout the year.  Take a look at the list below and if you feel you would like to become a miracle worker, contact me, cdavis@covenanttocare.org.

Seasonal Projects

Spring

Easter/Spring Baskets: In addition to healthy snacks (and a little candy!) help a child welcome the new season with a new warm-weather outfit, egg coloring kit, and a new toy or stuffed animal

Campership Fund Drive:  Summer camp experiences provide an opportunity to increase a child’s self esteem and improve social skills.  They also provide a break for children who live in stressful environments as well as their adult caregivers.  Most camps begin accepting applications in March and may offer early registration discounts.

Summer

Camp Equipment: Some children receive camperships but do not have the necessary items for an enjoyable experience.  Pack a small overnight bag with a flashlight, bug spray, sun protection, a swimsuit, beach towel or other items.

Summer Fun/Family Play Packs: Help children enjoy the out doors with balls, chalk, Frisbees, jump ropes, kites and sports items.  Help bring a family together with cards, board games, jewelry or model making kits, and other activities they can do together.

*Back-to-School Backpacks: Children look forward to new supplies to begin the school year. The purchase of such items can stretch the budget of a single parent or foster family who may have difficulty just buying food.  Congregations may provide backpacks containing any age-appropriate items.  While it is best for Backpacks to be completed by mid-August to give the Social Worker time to deliver them, they are always welcome as new cases of neglect are substantiated throughout the school year.

Fall

Thanksgiving Food Baskets:  Provide components (food, festive paper goods, aluminum baking pans, etc) or provide gift cards from grocery stores to create a special meal for families to enjoy together  

Winter

Holiday Gift Tree/Wreath, Mitten/Sock/Hat Tree:  A social worker can provide a form listing the first name, gender, age and preferences of each child.  Mittens, socks, hats or scarves may also be donated to decorate the tree and are welcome throughout the winter season.

Year Round Projects

Family Food Baskets:  Remember families experience food insufficiency year round as well as at Easter, Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays.  The social worker can provide information about culturally appropriate choices.  Grocery store gift cards are always welcome at these special times.

Cribs, Beds, Dressers:  Always a high priority of need by social workers for their families.  Judges will not allow a child to be placed in a home nor can a baby be brought home from the hospital without the appropriate bed or crib. 

Cleaning Baskets: Consider providing a family in need with cleaning supplies.  Families with limited resources are often forced to choose between food and the products needed to keep their homes and clothing clean – food stamps do not cover cleaning supplies.

Baby Showers: Hold a shower where guests bring the gifts normally given to mothers-to-be.  These are collected by a social worker and given to new mothers.

Personal Care Packs: Teens and parents often go without these necessary items. Create kits with shampoo, toothpaste, shavers, deodorant, combs, moisturizers, nail polish, etc., for males and females.  A great activity for teen groups!

Placement Packs: Placement packs are given to children entering out-of-home placement.  Often these children are removed from an unsafe situation with literally nothing but the clothes they are wearing. These packs are greatly appreciated as they provide comfort children who are abused or neglected during very difficult times.  The essential and comfort items in a placement pack may be the only belongings a child or teen has when placed in a new home.  Placement packs contain essential personal items and a few “goodies” to comfort an abused child through the trauma of entering a strange, new environment. 

Birthday Gifts and Party Supplies: Small gifts of universal appeal (games, puzzles, art supplies, etc.) help social workers reach out to the children on his/her caseload by acknowledging their special days.  We hear many stories of children or teens who have never been celebrated on their special day!  A gift supplied to a social worker might be the only package that some children receive.

Movie, Museum Passes:  Allows a family to share an entertaining/educational experience.

Car Seats:  Children five years old and under cannot be passengers in a motor vehicle without an appropriate car seat.  Because used car seats may have been compromised in an accident or may have been recalled by the manufacturer, most agencies will not pass them on to their clients. Since car seats must be new, you may want to initiate a Car Seat Fund drive to buy them.