Brighten the Holidays for Texas Children and Families

De la Directora General, Vicki Spriggs

Estimado amigos,

For so many of us, the holiday season is full of excitement, celebration, family, warmth and community. As we enjoy this time with loved ones and get ready for the New Year, let’s make sure we’re keeping children in foster care in our hearts. The fact is, some of these children are spending the season in emergency shelters, state hospitals, residential treatment centers and even on the streets. Moreso, those who are living with relatives or foster families – the most “normal” out-of-home care situation – are still missing their families and friends, and wondering if they will have presents, happy memories and stories to talk about with their classmates after the break.

There are many wonderful organizations that are working to create happier, more hopeful holidays for these children and could use your support. In the spirit of the season, I want to draw your attention to a handful of them, and get you thinking about where you could get involved.

Centro de Texas
Hilos de San Antonio provides free new clothes and accessories, and a fun shopping experience for teens who are in foster care, experiencing homelessness or otherwise in need. They offer volunteer opportunities and you can also donate new clothing items.

Austin-based nonprofit Partnerships for Children has a Programa "Deseos de Navidad where you can sponsor a child, become an ambassador for the program, donate gifts or make a monetary donation.

En todo el Estado
El Departamento de Servicios para la Familia y de Protección (DFPS) gestiona Habitaciones Arco Iris across the state that are stocked with clothing, essentials, emergency items, food baskets, toys and more in a store-like setting where Child Protective Services workers go “shopping” for the children and families on their caseloads. Every item in the Rainbow Room is donated or purchased from donations. You can donate items or volunteer to help sort, organize and inventory donations, and wrap holiday gifts for children of all ages.

Also, there are over 190 county consejos de bienestar infantil across the state that work at the grassroots level to meet the needs of children and families in the child welfare system in a variety of ways, including hosting holiday celebrations and working with rainbow room groups.

Nacional
Un simple deseo works with over 700 social service agencies throughout the United States to collect wishes from children in foster care and post the wishes on their website. One Simple Wish has many different programs and ways to get involved.

Every child deserves a cozy bedtime and a good night’s sleep. Programa Pijama gives new pajamas and books to children all across the country, including children experiencing homelessness. There are many ways to get involved, including donating to a local chapter and volunteering individually or as a group.

At Home
DFPS has volunteer opportunities where you can help children create long-lasting memories by assembling a personalized scrapbook for a child which can be used to help prospective adoptive parents learn more about the children who are available for adoption. You can also make blankets or quilts for a child or adult in need. See more information on both opportunities aquí.

If you are not in a place to volunteer time or donate goods or funds this holiday season, you can always donate your small talk instead. Word of mouth is the most effective way to engage people in a cause – so talk with your loved ones about children and families experiencing the child welfare system, and the many significant challenges they face. Also, if you know someone who would make a great CASA volunteer, you should nomínelos!

There are so many ways, big and small, that you can get involved in your community and create a happier holiday season for all – these are just scratching the surface. Thank you for reading along and learning of more ways you can make a difference and brighten the holidays for Texas children! Warmest thoughts and best wishes for a wonderful holiday season.

Cordialmente,

firma vicki

 

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