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KCMSA donates needed
household items to “Judge Gardner’s Closet”
to assist young adults transitioning from foster care to independent
living.
Part of our juvenile
justice system involves children who are made wards of the court due to
neglect and abuse on the part of their parents. At least some of
the time, some of these children are adopted. However, others are
not, and these children remain in foster care as wards of the court
until they reach the age of adulthood (18). At this time, these
young people leave the court system and begin the transition to
independent living, usually with very limited resources.
Judge Patricia Gardner,
who is a judge in the 17th Circuit Court Family Division, and handles
many of these cases, has started an initiative to help in this
transition process. It truly is unique, and others have dubbed it
“Judge Gardner’s Closet.”
In this closet (which really is a closet off her courtroom), are small
items, such as dishes, glasses, silverware, bed linens, bath and
kitchen towels, bedspreads, a coffee maker and toaster or two, an iron,
and throw blankets. These items have been donated and are offered
to these young people to help them in the process of making a home for
themselves.
The Alliance has
supported Judge Gardner’s efforts since 2004 with an annual collection
of new and gently used items as described above, usually at our April
meeting. We are the only group that does this, and it has made a
huge difference to dozens of young people. Judge Gardner, as well
as the entire Court staff, sincerely appreciates both our generosity
and our efforts in this regard. It does make a difference.
For more information contact Adrea Haidle or email info@kcmsalliance.org
KCMSA helps to make the
holidays special for children and families at Hope Community by
providing gifts and cookies as part of the annual KCMSA Holiday Tea.
Hope Community provides
transitional housing for homeless women and their children. Those
who choose to become a part of Hope Community agree to participate in
an individualized self-discovery and educational process designed to
help them identify and overcome barriers to self-sufficiency.
Hope Community offers
on-site case managers and a network of community health and human
services agencies to offer comprehensive educational, job training and
placement, family assessment, and health care programs directly to
resident families. On-site child care is available to help
residents access the available vocational, counseling and health care
programs.
The Kent County Medical
Society Alliance coordinates an annual Holiday Party for the children
of Hope Community. Plans begin for the day care party in early
fall, when the director is contacted and asked to provide a wish-list
of items the facility needs to maintain their accreditation.
Members shop and bring the wrapped items for the day care to the annual
KCMSA Holiday Tea and also provide a plate of cookies for the families
and staff. In addition, a group of KCMSA members meets in
November to shop for the individual children based on their age and
gender so that each child will receive a gift.
During the party the
children work on a craft, decorate a sugar cookie with colored frosting
and (lots) of sprinkles. The party culminates with the children
gathering in a circle to open the many wonderful gifts that will remain
at the day care center for the children to enjoy. At the end of
the day each child goes home with their individual gift bag and a plate
of home baked treats.
2009 DATES:
Tuesday,
November 24, 8am: Shopping Outing. Meet and help choose
individual gifts and stocking fillers at the Dollar Tree, 4260 28th St.
SE, Kentwood.
Wednesday, December 2, 3-5pm: Day Care Party. Help host and run the party! RSVP to Beth Junewick.
2009-10 Wish List (Suggested Donation Items - Bring to Holiday Open House December 1)
Audio books on CD, Wooden puzzles, Magnetic letters
Board or card games for pre-school and elementary age
Large motor toys: balls, jump ropes, hula hoops
Male dolls/figurines, Dress up clothes & shoes
Art Supplies: construction & contact paper, glue sticks, washable/non-toxic paint, stickers,
washable markers, finger paint
Batteries: AA, AAA, & D, Spray bottles
Hand vacuum, High chair, Bean bag seats, Large throw pillows
Small area rugs (red and/or yellow), Plastic floor mats/runners
Diaper table changing pad (24 x 38)
Mittens & Hats, Socks, Underwear - boys and girls, sizes 2T & 3T
Diapers & pull-ups (any size), Wipes, Baby lotion & Baby bodywash
Toothbrushes & toothbrush covers, Bibs
DVD Player
The Hope Community
Holiday Party is truly a wonderful project supported by the Kent County
Medical Society Alliance. For more information contact Beth
Junewick or email info@kcmsalliance.org
St. John’s Home is a
Grand Rapids, Michigan-based nonprofit, nondenominational agency that
provides a variety of services for troubled children and teenagers
throughout West Michigan. Since its founding in 1889, St. John’s has
served more than 10,000 boys and girls through a variety of programs,
including in-house residential treatment, emergency shelter through
KidsFirst, foster care through Host Homes and adolescent substance
abuse treatment.
KCMSA supports St.
John’s Home on an ongoing basis through our Community Board
Representative and collects donations each year for backpack, duffle
bags and other items needed to support youth in St. John’s Home
programs. For more information contact Kathy Kendall or email info@kcmsalliance.org.
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