The Beginning & How It All Works
We have been very busy and excited since we launched Set To Thrive – our non-profit benefiting foster youth in the California Bay Area. So much to do.
First, a little background! Set To Thrive all started with the idea that every child entering and transitioning through the foster care system deserves access to new, brand-name essential items. Hundreds of children enter the foster care system annually, often with only the clothes on their backs and shoes on their feet. Our vision is that our Thrive Bags will be a sense of comfort and bring a feeling of confidence to the children and that their needs are being met when they are transitioning into their new environments.
We would be remiss if we did not shout out – and thank a hundred times over! – Portland-based Project 48! They were the true pioneers in this area, and we have been so inspired by all they’ve done. Thank you to Brandy Memory and Tonya Daniels.
Our Thrive Bags are 100% customized for each unique individual. We put together Thrive Bags for kids ages anywhere in between 0 - 18 years old, all sizes and customized for each individual depending on gender identity, race and size.
Now, how does our process work?
Our Thrive Bags are 100% customized for each unique individual. We put together Thrive Bags for kids ages anywhere between 0 - 18 years old, all sizes and customized for each individual depending on gender identity, race, and size.
We have contacts (and it grows every week!) at multiple foster care agencies in Contra Costa County and Alameda County. And since our launch just two weeks ago, we’ve already provided almost a dozen Thrive Bags at the time we write this blog post. As we tell ourselves every day: It is so unfortunate that the need is so great, but that is why we are here.
Also, we work directly with individual caseworkers and the organizations, as they are the ones who take in and transfer the children to their new homes. The caseworkers are provided with access to our password-protected order form on our website, which allows them to customize our Thrive Bags for each child. The goal and our plan are to deliver our customized Thrive Bags within 2 days (hopefully sooner!) to the caseworkers, who then make sure that each child receives the correct Thrive Bag for them.
We will have a regular newsletter that will provide information as we move forward. We will have:
“$5 Friday.”
“Giving Tuesday” on National Giving Tuesday in November
Holiday Adopt a Bag in December
And more!
We are so grateful to all those who have donated to Set To Thrive since our launch! With your continued support, whether you’re a one-time donor, a Thrive Partner, a volunteer, or if you’re sharing our posts on social media, we are very thankful that you also share our mission of helping to ease the transition kids go through in foster care.
That’s it for now, but keep an eye out for updates and our events as they come up.
Thank you!
Written by Natalie Henderson & Lisa Henderson
