I am writing for a unique request to benefit the workers at our agency. As you likely understand, this job is highly stressful and can feel draining at times. Our agency implemented a program called Art in the Atrium for some stress relief. Myself and a few other workers create quick art projects that workers can participate in during their breaks. This helps provide a fun activity for workers to take a moment to themselves or to socialize with other workers as they are being creative. We were initially provided a grant for this program, but our funds are just about out. Our committee has been hosting some small fund raisers within our agency or purchasing supplies out of pocket at times. We are hoping that our amazing community would be willing to help provide some art supplies or other donations so that we can keep this program going. We would appreciate any art supplies you have on hand that you no longer use. Things like scrapbooking paper or stickers, fabric scraps, leather or cord scraps, ribbon etc. Also, we have some specific things we could use: Glue: tacky glue, E6000, wood glue, Elmer's glue, and mod podge Water color paper Grout for us to do a mosaic craft. Premade in white or some neutral color would be best Paints: acrylic paints, water colors, paint brushes, paint trays Canvases: this is a wish list item, but we would love some smaller canvases so we can host a guided painting activity

Thank you for considering!

A loving grandmother welcomed her two-year-old grandchild into her home along with her four other children. She was recently approved for a better housing option but is falling short on the deposit to hold their spot. She is also in need of pots, pans, towels, washcloths, lamps, a twin bed, twin bedding, underwear, socks, pull-ups and a potty-training chair. Any assistance to help this family get into a better home and provide them with the essentials they need would be beneficial in a stable home for all the children.

CHILDREN ARE BEING REMOVED FROM MOTHER'S HOME AND TO HELP PREVENT THEM FROM COMING INTO FOSTER CARE, FATHER IN TOPEKA IS IN NEED OF HELP. FATHER WILL NEED BUNK BED SET WITH TWO TWIN MATTRESSES AND BEDDING SET FOR 11 YEAR OLD GIRL AND 10 YEAR OLD BOY. FATHER APPRECIATES ALL THE HELP THAT CAN BE PROVIDED.

There are four siblings in care - three teenagers and 9 years old boy at the placement. He does not have a dresser to put his clothes in. He is using a plastic bag to keep his clothes. Unfortunately, the caregiver cannot afford to purchase because he is the only income in the house. This dresser will help the young child immensely and not live out a plastic bag. This will help him feel like he belongs.

We have had a couple take in 3 young children. They are doing everything they can for provide for these sweet children and they are working towards becoming licensed foster parents for these little ones. They are needing two twin beds so each child can have their own bed. They are also needing help with pull-ups for all three children in sizes 4T, 5T, 6T. They have asked for sheets for the beds if possible.

Family is in need of two twin sized mattresses, the bed frames and bedding have been secured.

One of our members has a washer and dryer to donate. A newly arrived refugee family with a disabled child is in great need of these donated units. We are looking for help from our church to pick up and deliver the washer and dryer. A pick up truck is needed, also volunteers to load, unload and install.

I met a young single mom, yesterday who is facing homelessness. She and her 12 year old daughter currently live in an apartment with her mother and are being evicted on Sunday evening. The grandmother has a place to go but this mom and her 12 year old do not. She is on a list to move in to housing in 4-7 days. She hopes to get a job in the Ruckersville area within walking distance of Food Lion.
GRACE can likely help her with first months rent when she gets in, but cannot help her with both first months rent and a hotel stay until the apartment becomes available. We are seeking nights at a hotel or an available room where she and her daughter can stay until getting the apartment. Please reach out if you can help with this. If different churches pay each church needs to make a different reservation which would be difficult. Current rate is around $140 a night. Let me know how many nights you could cover for her and I will start a reservation with that many nights and ask that you either send funds through GRACE or stop in the hotel and pay cash towards the reservation.

April showers bring May flowers! We’re sowing seeds of hope within the foster care community, connecting with kind and compassionate individuals to help us find safe and affordable housing for Sherry, Kaya, and Kennedy. We’re praying for a harvest soon, as they must be fully moved out of their home by the end of June. Kennedy is preparing to graduate from high school in just a few weeks and is stepping into the next chapter of adulthood. Cameron has been thriving in New York; he's already received a glowing letter of praise from a client for being so helpful! Sherry recently started a new job assisting a senior during the day, and Kaya has been a big help in organizing, packing, and preparing for the upcoming move. If you know of anyone who might have a room available for the girls or for Sherry, please reach out. As always, we are deeply grateful for your continued support each month. Please select “Fund” when donating.

Summit, we have a relationship with a foster family - they are a family that we have known through our partnership with the Dream Center in OKC. They have taken a placement of a 14-year old girl, and they need a bed and bedding for her A.S.A.P. Can you help us out so we can purchase this for her? Thanks. Nathan