Aging Out of Foster Care Parish Support

Show your support for one or more of our Louisiana youth who are aging out of the foster care system by showering them with items needed to start a new life.  They have needs for practical items & support that can become an almost impossible hurdle when they must go it alone.  As the hands & feet of Christ on thi earth, we are called to help those who are vulnerable.

Hosting a shower is a wonderful way to provide practical, needed items & show loving support too!

Who needs help?...

• Pray as a group that God would lead you to his precious children who have the needs your parish can meet... each one has a unique story & is in His image & likeness
• Decide as a parish how many youth you would like to assist.  St. Joseph the Worker chose one boy & one girl for their first Aging Out Shower
• Contact resources who can connect you with those youth most in need
  • Ask members of your own parish if they know any youth
  • Contact the school nearby
  • Contact the Louisiana Department of Children & Family Services
  • Contact CASA New Orleans
  • Email the Respect Life Office if you have questions
• Sometimes the child most in need is not someone in the foster system, but living with others but very vulnerable
• When your resources provide information about youth in need, prayerfully choose how to proceed, considering those most in need
• Keep all stories private, respect privacy of ALL involved in these delicate situations

Reach out to your local resources...

• Start by asking the youth you have chosen what do you need?  Build your list from that!
• Reach out to local stores that sell clothing for new clothing donations. Also ask about possibility for youth to show for selected amount for preferred outfits
• Reach out to local stores that sell household items we all need to see if they would donate something
• Reach out to local business owners about job opportunities for the youth
• If your parish has a food pantry or clothing closet, ask if these ministries would like to participate in donations

Build your wish list for each youth...

• Clothing with correct sizes
• Nonperishable foods to build a basic food pantry for the new home
• Basic cleaning supplies
• Kitchen tools, plates, cups, silverware, miscellaneous items, small appliances (crock pot, coffee pot, blender), etc...
• Appropriate gift cards for wish lists
  • be sure they are still valid with full face value
  • Visa gift cards are great choice
• Individualized gifts - quilting, sewing, knitting/crocheting
• Prepare a binder for each youth that includes such information as
  • prayers
  • favorite, simple recipes (also include ingredients with shower gifts)
  • homemaking anecdotes
  • kitchen/cooking basics
  • first aid
  • disaster/evacuation information
  • emergency contacts
• Hosting committee for the shower
  • coordinate location
  • plan refreshements
  • include 2 tables per youth in set up of location

Invite your parishioners to be a part...

• Announce the date & time of the shower
• Include the wish list
• Encourage creative, crafty parish groups to participate
• Publish in bulletin, on social media, in common area at parish (bulletin board)
• Include a sign-up sheet to avoid too many duplicates

For each youth participating...

• Encourage them to come to the shower with a big truck/car to take gifts
• Provide each youth with your ministry's contact information
• Encourage them to stay in touch with you
• Call each youth occasionally to let them know your ministry is praying for them & to offer any support
• Invite them to come back for a future shower to celebrate with those youth

With deep gratitude to St. Joseph the Worker's Respect for Life Ministry & their Respect Life Coordinator, Brenda, for spearheading this ministry!