One of the advantages of being a small club is our ability to act quickly in service of others. And this last week demonstrated that ability. We learned that Family Advocates needed school supplies for the children it helps — and in just a week, 13 of our club members donated $370 worth of backpacks, spiral notebooks, looseleaf paper, crayons, colored and #2 pencils, erasers, glue sticks, and so much more! We ARE "people of action"!Family Advocates is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to "strengthen families and keep kids safe by empowering everyday people to protect and enrich the lives of youth." Its two main programs are the Family Strengthening Education program and the CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates for Children) program.
The education program provides courses and resources for adults, teens and children to arm them with the skills needed to strengthen bonds within families, building a healthier family unit, reduce stress and advance hope. Its CASA volunteers are recruited, trained as Guardians ad Litem, and supported to investigate cases of child abuse, neglect and abandonment and then to advocate for those children in court to make sure their voices are heard. Last winter, our club awarded Family Advocates a $500 grant for the Family Strengthening Education program. This grant was used to purchase supplies, materials and equipment for a year's worth of classes for pregnant and parenting teens.
And prior to that, our annual Christmas party for Pierce Park students evolved from a small group of K-3 students receiving presents from Santa Claus to the 5th-grade students wrapping gifts provided by our club for 42 children whose names and ages were provided to us by Family Advocates. Each gift bag contained a knit hat and gloves, candy canes, a $5 gift card from McDonalds and a handmade holiday card from the 5th grader putting together that gift.
We are honored to help Family Advocates strengthen families who are raising the most precious resource, children, in a safe, happy and healthy environment. And we look forward to additional "quick but impactful" service projects in the coming months.