ICT SOS Donates items to EmberHope Representatives with a van load of supplies

Did you know that on average, 63 youth enter the foster care system each month in Sedgwick County? When coming into care, many kids leave their homes without the basic items they need. This could include the very standard hygiene necessities such as clean undergarments, a toothbrush, or deodorant.

In an effort to bridge this gap and help meet our youth where they are, EmberHope Foundation teamed up with ICT SOS to create 63 Fresh Start bags. Each bag was mindfully created for a variety of age groups and included items appropriate for children or teens, depending on the need.

Each new, name-brand duffel bag contained new clothing, a toothbrush, shampoo, conditioner, body wash, undergarments, and deodorant. For younger children, each bag also had a stuffed animal, and older youth received a journal.

Autumn Huerter, Marketing Director, knows firsthand what a donation of this magnitude can mean to a child. “As a former foster youth, I remember entering the system with nothing but the clothes on my back and a few items in a black trash bag,” she recalled. “Receiving a bag like this can go a long way in showing a child that even though they’re going through a difficult situation, we truly care about them.”

In addition to the donation of these incredible bags, ICT SOS also donated 125 blankets and 1500 pairs of socks.

“We are so grateful for the generosity of ICT SOS, their volunteers, and the people who donated to the creation of these bags,” Huerter added. “When they say it takes a village to raise a child, it’s true. And this is evidence of our village hard at work. Thank you.”

Tamber Rouse, Director of Donor Relations, emphasized that teaming up with other non-profit organizations is essential. “Creating partnerships with other non-profits is crucial because together, we can achieve so much more than we could on our own,” she explained. “By joining forces, sharing resources, and combining our unique strengths, we have the power to make a bigger impact. Collaboration not only enables us to pool our talents and knowledge but also allows us to support each other in our shared mission to create positive change in our communities. Together, we are stronger, more resilient, and better equipped to tackle the challenges we face.”

If you are interested in donating to EmberHope or becoming a volunteer, fill out our contact us form.