Will you join me in supporting foster kids and helping restore their dignity?
Together We Rise
Together We Rise is dedicated to changing the way youth experience the foster care system in America. Most kids in the foster system live in multiple foster homes often bouncing around to multiple homes and schools in a matter of months. They have already lost their parents and possibly siblings, and now they have enormous instability in what is called, “home.” Too often when a child is moved from one home to another, they are told to quickly gather their (few) belongings in a plastic trash bag to carry what they can with them. The symbolism of these kids’ things, and therefore them by extension, being trash is tragic but all too real.
Together We Rise aims to restore some dignity during these transitions with what they call “Sweet Cases.” These custom decorated, sturdy, durable duffel bags provide foster kids with a stable place to keep their treasured belongings. For a $30 donation, a child can get a custom decorated Sweet Case duffel bag, a hygiene kit, a warm blanket, a plush teddy bear, a box of crayons and a fun activity book.
Inspiration
Many of you know that three of my kids spent time in foster care before I adopted them, moving from house to house not sure if they would ever see their siblings again and being subjected to horrible experiences. Thankfully, circumstances worked out such that we were able to adopt all three of them keeping them in the family and keeping them together.
My nephew, Christopher, and two nieces, Faith and Destiney, became my son and two of my daughters with adopted names of Christian, Faith, and Kathryn (Katy) respectively. They joined my biological daughter, Emily, to bless me with four Davis kids. Blending my family and Heather’s makes a total of seven kids whose lives we get to be a part of in a parental, even if non-traditional, role. #Blessed
Our blended family in 2016 (left to right)
Heather’s step-daughter, Mary, my adopted daughter, Faith, Heather’s son, Ethan, my adopted daughter, Katy, my biological daughter, Emily, Heather’s daughter, Sarah, and my adopted son, Chris.
Fundraiser
Join me in raising money to buy cute, durable duffel bags for these foster kiddos to keep their belongings in as they move along until finding their forever homes. Every little bit helps. Donations are collected via a Facebook Fundraiser.
Donate before Christmas and I will match your donation up to a total of $500. Your $500 total plus my match would be $1,000 for these kids. As an added bonus, my amazing employer, Cisco, will match my donations through Brightfunds as well, so that could drive the total to $1,500 for this short fundraiser! That translates to 50 Sweet Cases for 50 foster kids in need. I know my circle will step up and help these kids who need it most. If we’re successful in raising some money, I may make this an annual event! Thanks in advance for anything you’re able to help with.
Note: Facebook takes care of the donation processing with no fees.
Together We Rise Tax ID/EIN: 26-3043727