No More Trash Bags for 40,000 Kids in Foster Care

Comfort Cases Report to GlobalGiving
January 1, 2024 – August 30, 2024

Executive Summary
Between January 1, 2024, and August 30, 2024, Comfort Cases successfully distributed 20,421 Comfort Cases to children and youth entering foster care across the United States. These cases provide essential items that foster children need during transitions, helping to restore dignity and provide a sense of belonging. This effort has been made possible through the generous support of donors like those from GlobalGiving, volunteers, and our partnership network across the country.

Key Achievements

1. Total Number of Cases Distributed:
   A total of 20,421 Comfort Cases were assembled and disseminated. Each case contains items such as toiletries, pajamas, a blanket, a book, a stuffed animal, and other age-appropriate essentials for children and youth.

2. Geographic Reach:
   Comfort Cases were distributed in partnership with over 300 child welfare agencies and foster care organizations, reaching 35 states across the U.S. and Puerto Rico. Comfort Cases were targeted toward regions with high numbers of children entering the foster care system. Special focus was given to rural areas where access to resources can be more limited.

3. Impact Stories:

   • Anna’s Story (Texas): Anna, a 9-year-old girl, entered foster care with only the clothes she was wearing. Upon receiving a Comfort Case, she immediately latched onto the stuffed animal inside and felt an instant connection to something familiar, easing the anxiety of her situation.
   • James’s Story (California): James, a teenager, shared that the hygiene items in his Comfort Case gave him the dignity he desperately needed during his transition, allowing him to feel more in control of his personal space during an overwhelming time.

4. Volunteer Engagement:
   Throughout this period, Comfort Cases relied on the efforts of over 1,200 volunteers who helped to assemble and pack the cases. Volunteer events were held in various cities, including Washington D.C., Chicago, and Los Angeles, to involve local communities in our mission. Corporate partnerships also played a vital role, with companies such as Anthem and Civic Groups like Rotary hosting team-building events around Comfort Case packing.

5. Program Growth:
   Due to the growing need for support within the foster care system, Comfort Cases has increased its production capacity by 15% since the start of 2024. We’ve also piloted new types of cases specifically designed for older youth in care (ages 13-18), which include more age-appropriate items such as journals, feminine hygiene products, and grooming kits.

Challenges and Lessons Learned
While Comfort Cases has made significant strides in reaching more children, there are still challenges we continue to face. These include:

• Logistics: Coordinating shipments to rural areas proved difficult at times, particularly in regions with limited infrastructure. To address this, we’ve begun partnering with local delivery services and are piloting a new distribution system that involves more regional warehousing.
• Increasing Demand: The number of children entering foster care continues to rise, and we are working to secure additional resources to meet this growing need.
• Resource Allocation: Ensuring that each case is customized to the age, gender, and cultural background of the recipient has required careful planning and resources, but this customization remains crucial to maintaining the personal impact of the Comfort Cases.

Looking Ahead
As we move into the latter half of 2024, Comfort Cases aims to distribute an additional 15,000 cases by year-end. We are also exploring opportunities to expand more internationally, starting with a partnership in Canada. Furthermore, we plan to enhance our engagement with youth advocates, involving former foster youth in the design and assembly of future cases.

Conclusion
The support from GlobalGiving and other partners has been instrumental in the success of Comfort Cases' mission during this reporting period. By providing a tangible source of comfort and dignity, the 20,421 Comfort Cases distributed from January to August 2024 have had a lasting impact on the lives of children and youth. We look forward to continuing this critical work and deepening our partnership with GlobalGiving in the months ahead.

Thank You
We express our deepest gratitude to GlobalGiving for its unwavering support of Comfort Cases. Together, we are changing lives and ensuring that no child in foster care feels forgotten. 

A video thank you from Rob: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1aTmj-96eT42HbkOSCvurzxPMcjRXmcgc/view?usp=sharing