Crisis Shelters Tell Us
The profound impact of My Stuff Bags upon the children who receive them is best conveyed in the hundreds of letters we receive from the crisis shelters caregivers who must rescue them. Here are just a few:
Children’s Home Society
Many sexual abuse cases happen on the children’s’ blankets and sheets; My Stuffed Bags provide our kids with a new blanket that has not been marred with ugly memories. We had one boy come out of his interview so excited because he could not wait to open his Stuffed Bag and play with the wonderful toys and books; it is wonderful to see kids leave our facility with a smile on their face and My Stuffed Bags makes that work.
– Tifanie Petro, Children’s Home Society, Rapid City, SD
SafePath Children’s Advocacy Center, Inc.
Recently, we had three children that came to our center after being witnesses to homicide. The children witnessed their father killing their mother and were immediately taken into protective custody by Child Protective Services. Due to the nature of the crime, the children were not able to return to their home to gather any personal belongings before moving in with their sister. SafePath Intervention staff members were able to give them their “My Stuff Bags” which gave them basic toiletries to freshen up since they were up all night long, as well as help provide them with the basics before moving in with their sister…The bags ended up being critical to these children because they ended up not being able to go home to get any of their personal items because the house was an active crime scene.”
– Jinger Robins, CEO, SafePath Children’s Advocacy Center, Inc., Marietta, GA
_________________________________________________________________
Washoe County School District
“By providing these bags we are able to create a sense of family with the staff at Boys & Girls Club. While these bags go home with the children and provide them a sense of security and happiness, they also create a positive connection between children and the Club. We had a little girl who had been struggling. Her family had recently been displaced because of a fire in their apartment building. Although we had been able to help with some clothing, she had little else. When we gave her the My Stuff Bag, she started crying because she had lost all of her books and toys. These bags brought so many smiles!”
– Boys and Girls Club of Truckee Meadows
_________________________________________________________________
Santa Cruz County Office of Education
“The impact of My Stuff Bags has been tremendous and heartwarming! For one single mom and her 7th-grade autistic son, we were able to provide a My Stuff Bag after they had been moved into one of our local housing shelters. Mother and son were thrilled to have received the bag and even sent over a cute picture of the son wearing the bag. His smile was big and contagious! He loved the stuffed animal inside as well as the other cool items. My Stuff Bags has helped us better serve children by being able to provide a tangible, brand new bag with goodies and personalized items to children who have only been able to get used donations or handy downs in the past. It helps us be able to empower our children and see their faces light up when we realize that the duffle bag is uniquely for them.”
– Erika Cortes, Project Coordinator, Santa Cruz County Office of Education
_________________________________________________________________
LAUSD Homeless Education Office
“We use My Stuff Bags to assist our most needy students who are homeless, in foster care settings, and others in need of immediate assistance. One example is a counselor who was working with a mom and her 4 young children. This family had recently moved to California and the children were struggling adjusting to this new life. When the counselor arrived with the My Stuff Bags and the 4yr. old girl saw what was in the blue bag her face lit up! Inside the bag was an adorable teddy bear, and oh so soft! The counselor shared that until that moment the little girl was withdrawn and unengaged but, now she was ready to begin adjusting to her new life.”
– Tammy Wood, Senior Parent Community Facilitator, LAUSD Homeless Education Office
_________________________________________________________________
Many Mansions
“The donation of My Stuff Bags brings smiles and excitement to the faces of our youth. Many of our families are still struggling from the pandemic – the bags were cherished and celebrated by everyone who got one – from the mother of a toddler to the vulnerable family with multiple children, and to many families that have a very limited income and wouldn’t be able to provide these items for their children or teens.”
– Ann Sobel, Vice President, Resource Development, Many Mansions
_________________________________________________________________
Children’s Advocacy Center
“The children walk out of here, proudly carrying their My Stuff Bug, with their heads held a little higher and their hearts a little lighter.”
– Diane L. Pisczek, M.Ed, Executive Director, Children’s Advocacy Center
_________________________________________________________________
Crime Survivor’s Resource Center
“To witness a child’s face turn from tears and trauma to a glimmer of hope with a lightness and smile is
truly priceless… Thanks to “My Stuff Bags” hundreds of victims of violent crime have been helped…”
– Patricia Wenskunas, Founder & CEO, Crime Survivor’s Resource Center
_________________________________________________________________
Mayor’s Office of Public Safety
“Many of our children have grown up in environments where kindness was a rarity and receiving these bags that are just for them is a rare moment of compassion and caring. Many of our kids cried upon receiving them from being overwhelmed with a feeling of being cared for.
There are not enough words to properly express my gratitude for your organization and their support of these amazingly resilient children.”
-Chanel Smith, Director, Domestic Violence & Vulnerable Populations
_________________________________________________________________
Dell Hayden Memorial Child Advocacy Center
“There are no words to describe what an experience it is to see a child light up after receiving a My Stuff Bag. It is like the sun shining through the clouds after the storm passes.”
– Rachel C. Angel, Program Director & Laura Patzner, Executive Director, Dell Hayden Memorial Child Advocacy Center
_______________________________________________________________
ABC Room
“He sat down and unzipped his bag – as enthusiastically as any child on Christmas morning…He couldn’t believe he was receiving ‘whole big bag of new stuff’ just for him.”
– Karen Forrester, Board Member, ABC Room
_______________________________________________________________
The Eight
“Because of My Stuff Bags Foundation and your many donors, our nonprofit can open the door to deserving people experiencing domestic hardships.”
– Alicia Hollins, Founder/CEO, The Eight
_______________________________________________________________
A Greater Hope Foundation
“My Stuff Bags Foundation is always there for us to extend the helping hand to our children in need at a crucial moment.”
– Helena Smith, Executive Director, Greater Hope Foundation
_______________________________________________________________
Los Angeles County Department of Children and Family Services
“As each boy opened a bag he would show off the contents to his brothers. The oldest boy asked me why they were getting such good stuff, I responded “because you deserve it”.
– Jay Townsend, Supervisor, Los Angeles Department of Children and Family Services
_________________________________________________________________
St. Camillus School
“I know that the students were thrilled with the bags and the contents. Most had lost so much in the storm and having that bag was truly special to them.”
-Sister Agnes White, St. Camillus SchoolChrist Child House
“One of the worst things for youth in foster care is having to move their belongings from home to home in garbage bags or plastic grocery sacks. It is embarrassing, demeaning, and yet another reminder of how little they have in this world.”
John Yablonky, Executive Director Christ Child House
City of Davenport Police Department
I cannot thank you enough, nor express how good it felt to bring clean clothes and some stuffed animals to children who were distraught and not cared for.
– Marie Hoffmiller, Juvenile Specialist, Davenport Police Department
Mercer County Family Crisis Center
“Not long ago this agency worked with a brother and sister whose father has sexually assaulted them over a period of several years. Because of the nature of the investigation they were not allowed to remove anything from their home before being immediately placed in foster care. They were thrilled when we gave each of them a bag of their own.
Marla K. Reynolds, Executive Director, Mercer County Family Crisis Center
South Carolina Youth Advocate Program
Many children that we serve come to us with very few belongings or nothing at all. These bags give them the ability to go into their new foster home with their own toothbrush, toothpaste, soap, crayons, toys and a special blanket and stuffed animal of their own.
– Gail Cole, Development Liaison
SafePath Children’s Advocacy Center, Inc.
Recently, we had three children that came to our center after being witnesses to homicide. The children witnessed their father killing their mother and were immediately taken into protective custody by Child Protective Services. Due to the nature of the crime, the children were not able to return to their home to gather any personal belongings before moving in with their sister. SafePath Intervention staff members were able to give them their “My Stuff Bags” which gave them basic toiletries to freshen up since they were up all night long, as well as help provide them with the basics before moving in with their sister…The bags ended up being critical to these children because they ended up not being able to go home to get any of their personal items because the house was an active crime scene.”
– Jinger Robins, CEO, SafePath Children’s Advocacy Center, Inc., Marietta, GA
_________________________________________________________________
Washoe County School District
“By providing these bags we are able to create a sense of family with the staff at Boys & Girls Club. While these bags go home with the children and provide them a sense of security and happiness, they also create a positive connection between children and the Club. We had a little girl who had been struggling. Her family had recently been displaced because of a fire in their apartment building. Although we had been able to help with some clothing, she had little else. When we gave her the My Stuff Bag, she started crying because she had lost all of her books and toys. These bags brought so many smiles!”
– Boys and Girls Club of Truckee Meadows
_________________________________________________________________
Santa Cruz County Office of Education
“The impact of My Stuff Bags has been tremendous and heartwarming! For one single mom and her 7th-grade autistic son, we were able to provide a My Stuff Bag after they had been moved into one of our local housing shelters. Mother and son were thrilled to have received the bag and even sent over a cute picture of the son wearing the bag. His smile was big and contagious! He loved the stuffed animal inside as well as the other cool items. My Stuff Bags has helped us better serve children by being able to provide a tangible, brand new bag with goodies and personalized items to children who have only been able to get used donations or handy downs in the past. It helps us be able to empower our children and see their faces light up when we realize that the duffle bag is uniquely for them.”
– Erika Cortes, Project Coordinator, Santa Cruz County Office of Education
_________________________________________________________________
LAUSD Homeless Education Office
“We use My Stuff Bags to assist our most needy students who are homeless, in foster care settings, and others in need of immediate assistance. One example is a counselor who was working with a mom and her 4 young children. This family had recently moved to California and the children were struggling adjusting to this new life. When the counselor arrived with the My Stuff Bags and the 4yr. old girl saw what was in the blue bag her face lit up! Inside the bag was an adorable teddy bear, and oh so soft! The counselor shared that until that moment the little girl was withdrawn and unengaged but, now she was ready to begin adjusting to her new life.”
– Tammy Wood, Senior Parent Community Facilitator, LAUSD Homeless Education Office
_________________________________________________________________
Many Mansions
“The donation of My Stuff Bags brings smiles and excitement to the faces of our youth. Many of our families are still struggling from the pandemic – the bags were cherished and celebrated by everyone who got one – from the mother of a toddler to the vulnerable family with multiple children, and to many families that have a very limited income and wouldn’t be able to provide these items for their children or teens.”
– Ann Sobel, Vice President, Resource Development, Many Mansions
_________________________________________________________________
Children’s Advocacy Center
“The children walk out of here, proudly carrying their My Stuff Bug, with their heads held a little higher and their hearts a little lighter.”
– Diane L. Pisczek, M.Ed, Executive Director, Children’s Advocacy Center
_________________________________________________________________
Crime Survivor’s Resource Center
“To witness a child’s face turn from tears and trauma to a glimmer of hope with a lightness and smile is
truly priceless… Thanks to “My Stuff Bags” hundreds of victims of violent crime have been helped…”
– Patricia Wenskunas, Founder & CEO, Crime Survivor’s Resource Center
_________________________________________________________________
Mayor’s Office of Public Safety
“Many of our children have grown up in environments where kindness was a rarity and receiving these bags that are just for them is a rare moment of compassion and caring. Many of our kids cried upon receiving them from being overwhelmed with a feeling of being cared for.
There are not enough words to properly express my gratitude for your organization and their support of these amazingly resilient children.”
-Chanel Smith, Director, Domestic Violence & Vulnerable Populations
_________________________________________________________________
Dell Hayden Memorial Child Advocacy Center
“There are no words to describe what an experience it is to see a child light up after receiving a My Stuff Bag. It is like the sun shining through the clouds after the storm passes.”
– Rachel C. Angel, Program Director & Laura Patzner, Executive Director, Dell Hayden Memorial Child Advocacy Center
_______________________________________________________________
ABC Room
“He sat down and unzipped his bag – as enthusiastically as any child on Christmas morning…He couldn’t believe he was receiving ‘whole big bag of new stuff’ just for him.”
– Karen Forrester, Board Member, ABC Room
_______________________________________________________________
The Eight
“Because of My Stuff Bags Foundation and your many donors, our nonprofit can open the door to deserving people experiencing domestic hardships.”
– Alicia Hollins, Founder/CEO, The Eight
_______________________________________________________________
A Greater Hope Foundation
“My Stuff Bags Foundation is always there for us to extend the helping hand to our children in need at a crucial moment.”
– Helena Smith, Executive Director, Greater Hope Foundation
_______________________________________________________________
Los Angeles County Department of Children and Family Services
“As each boy opened a bag he would show off the contents to his brothers. The oldest boy asked me why they were getting such good stuff, I responded “because you deserve it”.
– Jay Townsend, Supervisor, Los Angeles Department of Children and Family Services
_________________________________________________________________
St. Camillus School
“I know that the students were thrilled with the bags and the contents. Most had lost so much in the storm and having that bag was truly special to them.”
-Sister Agnes White, St. Camillus SchoolChrist Child House
“One of the worst things for youth in foster care is having to move their belongings from home to home in garbage bags or plastic grocery sacks. It is embarrassing, demeaning, and yet another reminder of how little they have in this world.”
John Yablonky, Executive Director Christ Child House
City of Davenport Police Department
I cannot thank you enough, nor express how good it felt to bring clean clothes and some stuffed animals to children who were distraught and not cared for.
– Marie Hoffmiller, Juvenile Specialist, Davenport Police Department
Mercer County Family Crisis Center
“Not long ago this agency worked with a brother and sister whose father has sexually assaulted them over a period of several years. Because of the nature of the investigation they were not allowed to remove anything from their home before being immediately placed in foster care. They were thrilled when we gave each of them a bag of their own.
Marla K. Reynolds, Executive Director, Mercer County Family Crisis Center
South Carolina Youth Advocate Program
Many children that we serve come to us with very few belongings or nothing at all. These bags give them the ability to go into their new foster home with their own toothbrush, toothpaste, soap, crayons, toys and a special blanket and stuffed animal of their own.
– Gail Cole, Development Liaison
