Community Corner
Belmont Youth gather to sew that they care
Belmont 4-H members and members of Belmont's VOICES community service program met on Saturday, February 1st to create comfort packages for foster youth in the San Mateo County Area.
Among the many challenges that foster youth face is that when they come into the system, they have had limited time and means to gather their personal possessions. Most come with what they can stuff into a trash bag. That knowledge propelled the Belmont 4-H Club to action.
Belmont 4-Her Julien Levy wrote a successful grant proposal to the National 4-H Revolution of Responsibility (ROR) program. The goal of the ROR program is to challenge youth to make a measurable difference in their own community - as part of the 4-H experience.
Julien's ROR grant award of $1,000 enabled the purchase of fabric and supplies to create 30-40 sets of toiletry bags (including personal care supplies!), pillowcases and blankets. Belmont 4-Her Sydney Cho, having actual and considerable sewing skills is the youth leader for this project, coached by 40+ year 4-H Veteran Mrs. Linda Litz, who has led the club's sewing projects ad infinitum.
VOICES members, along with 4-H families gathered in the Taube Room of the Belmont Library for a sewing marathon. The group was able to learn more about foster youth and their experience in San Mateo County, thanks to a guest speaker, Ms. Annette Caves, of Help One Child. Help One Child is a non-profit, non-denominational, local outreach program to at-risk children both in and out of the foster care system.
The team has more to do - some 10 comfort sets are yet to be completed, but they are beautiful, warm, and will be handed off with love to the County Receiving Home.
If you're interested in helping Foster Youth, please contact Help One Child at info@helponechild.org. They'll help you get started!
