Student leaders from Project CAFÉ, in cooperation with Upstate Medical University Nurse Becky Wheeler are collecting materials to help children placed in foster care in Madison County. They will have a table located in front of Common Grounds (35 Albany Street) on Friday, Dec. 4 from 6 to 8 p.m. to collect items and share information about the need.
Children are often placed in foster care suddenly and arrive at their foster homes with few to no possessions. The goal of the project is to create ready-made kits for the children to meet not only their essential health and welfare needs, but also to provide emotional comfort during these traumatic circumstances.
Indicators point to an increase in domestic problems, including child abuse and neglect, during 2020 due to heightened levels of stress and poverty caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. While needs have increased, human and material resources have not necessarily kept pace as governments try to cope with the wide-ranging effects of the coronavirus.
In addition to the material needs addressed by this project, there is also an ongoing need for foster families. To learn more about that process, call Madison County Child and Family Services at 315-366-2548 or visit madisoncounty.ny.gov/257/Foster-Care-Adoption.
The following items are being sought for the foster kid support kits: Fleece blankets, stuffed animals, children’s pajamas sizes 2-12, tooth brushes and tooth paste, children’s books, small toys, nightlights, hair brushes and duffel bags or backpacks to contain the items.
Tax-deductible donations to purchase materials can also be made to Project CAFÉ, Inc at PO Box 408, Cazenovia, NY 13035 with “foster kids” written on the memo line. Support materials or donations may be dropped off at the table on Dec. 4 or placed in a collection box in the foyer of the Village Office (90 Albany St) from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on weekdays.
