HOPE IN A SUITCASE
Julie Armstron, Vic Manager of ‘Hope in a Suitcase’ was our Guest Speaker recently, and what a fantastic charity that is! Hard to take in that 46,000 kids go into Foster Care each year. The Founder of Hope in a Suitcase was herself a Foster Carer over 19 years. In this time she hosted 32 children!. More often than not they would arrive with barely any posessions. If they were lucky they might have a few items in a plastic bag. Many children are removed from their family of origin under very stressful circumstances.
So the charity provide new suitcases for each child filled with age appropriate brand new items, such as toiletries, underwear, a windcheater, soft toy… the list goes on.
These are sent to agencies such as Anglicare, Berry St Preston, VACCA, Child Protection in Warrigal, and Case workers hand these out to each child who is being fostered.
Feedback is wonderful and it often brings tears to both the children and their case workers.
The aim:
To “let the child know they matter.”!
The suitcases are packed and delivered by volunteers.
Hope in a Suitcase is not Government funded, and it relies purely on donations.
Rotary Preston’s Community Service Committee were delighted to donate to this excellent service.
We thank Julie most sincerely for her work.