Hello Palatka,
We are ready for the launch of our non-profit, an official 501(c)(3) here in Putnam County.
Our short term goal is to serve children at risk for abuse and neglect that have been put into court ordered placement by giving them a community kit when they first enter into protective services.
As a former foster child myself, what sticks with you is moving from home to home, living out of trash bags. Our goal is to allow all child protection workers to have access to luggage and a community kit that has a fuzzy blanket, socks, journal, markers, etc.
Long term we hope to expand the kits to include new clothes and shoes for the children, as they often leave home with nothing but the clothes on their backs and the new homes have to find school clothes at a moment's notice. Our third goal is to provide monthly birthday parties for children in foster care in Putnam County.
We will be asking the community for space to store items and a small office space. Of course, since we are a registered 501(c)(3) it can be a tax deduction for what the space would lease for in a normal market (fair market value).
Also, we will be asking local businesses and the community for donations, gift bags, new clothing, and the aforementioned community kit items.
This is completely a labor of love, no money will go towards salaries or space. We are depending on our community of caring citizens to help us to uplift and protect our most vulnerable members, our children.
For anyone interested in space donation, I would love to sit down and meet. We have all of the appropriate paperwork including the IRS letter of approval, articles of incorporation, and tax ID.
Thank you to this great community, I know you will step forward to help us attain our goals to serve these children.