Day 1 Bags provides new duffle bags and backpacks to foster and at-risk youth in need. Day 1 represents the start of a bright future for disadvantaged youth and demonstrates the importance of dignity, security, and hope. Learn more about their work here!
Can you tell me about the need for your work?
There are over 424,000 children in foster care in the U.S., with more than 10% of them remaining in foster care for over five years. When children enter foster care, are moving from home to home, or age out of foster care, they often don’t have the proper luggage to carry their belongings. We want to eliminate trash bags as a form of luggage by providing the highest quality duffel bags, backpacks, and vital document bags. Every week, we provide free bags to shelters, foster homes, and our partner agencies across the country. These children have been neglected and often feel like they don’t matter, and we are working to change that every day.
Who are the children that you serve?
Since 2016, we’ve given over 110,000 bags to foster and at-risk youth in 24 states. Over 500 children enter the foster care system every day, and most of them are removed from their homes with their belongings stuffed in trash bags. When foster children are moving to unfamiliar shelters or homes, Day 1 bags serve as a sense of comfort and a constant to carry with them. Day 1 bags are a therapeutic and thoughtful resource that meet youth’s real needs while in care. Our bags are sent to nonprofits, religious groups, social clubs, government agencies, and more to ensure no child feels forgotten or disrespected.
What other programs do you have?
Not everyone is in a position to foster a child, but there are other ways to help them out. We have an “Adopt A Senior” campaign where we shower graduating high school seniors with meaningful gifts aimed at making a difference in their lives. On Valentine’s Day, we deliver cards, gifts, and treats to foster youth agencies, schools, and assisted living facilities. We also have “Serenity Activity Packs”, which are Day 1 duffles filled with comfort items for small children that law enforcement officers can use for initial contact with youth.
How can individuals get involved in your work?
The only way Day 1 can continue to fulfill our free bag requests is through generous donations. We take financial transparency seriously— 92 cents of every dollar donated to us goes directly to putting together Day 1 bags and supporting our programs for foster youth. Corporations can also become community partners who help us fulfill our mission. We also accept donations for handmade blankets and pouches to give to foster youth, and have an Amazon Wishlist full of materials we need to make sure these children feel seen and supported.
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