Organizations Work Together to Help America's Vulnerable Children

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich., May 19, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, there are more than 400,000 children in the U.S. foster care system. Many of these children move from household to household hoping that one day they too will know the love of a forever family. During National Foster Care Month (May), two companies committed to supporting vulnerable children will continue their work together to raise awareness in hopes of recruiting loving couples open to giving children in foster care a permanent home.

For the past several years, Initials, Inc., a home party plan company specializing in personalized products, has provided generous monetary support to Bethany Christian Services, an organization strengthening and equipping families to be the answer for vulnerable children in local communities and around the world. In addition to its monetary donations, which have helped fully fund more than 20 adoptions in the past two years, Initials, Inc. has agreed to provide 2,300 backpacks this year to children currently in foster care.

"Backpacks will give those in foster care something that is completely their own that they won't have to share or leave behind," said Bill Blacquiere, Bethany president and CEO. "This and other donations from Initials, Inc. represent a strong partnership that has continued to help many vulnerable children over the years. We continue to be extremely grateful for their support and willingness to offer hope where it's needed most."

The backpacks offer children in foster care emotional support and, just as importantly, dignity. It's not uncommon to see children in foster care using garbage bags to move their minimal personal belongings from one home to the next.  

"It's heartbreaking to think of children shuttling from home to home, losing faith with each new family they are moved to" said Ivy Hall, who co-founded Initials, Inc. with her sister, Britney Vickery. "Having a grandmother who lived in foster care for the first several years of her life, we were raised with an understanding of the challenges these children face.   We see this donation as a vital part of our vision and encourage other companies to join Bethany in its mission."

Companies interested in joining Initials, Inc. in assisting vulnerable children are encouraged to contact Bethany Christian Services at 1.800.BETHANY for similar sponsorship opportunities.

SOURCE Bethany Christian Services

Related Links

https://www.bethany.org