No more trash bags for luggage for Delaware foster kids

The non-profit group “Kind to Kids” has collected hundreds of duffel bags to give to foster kids to carry their belongings when in transition from home to home.

The effort aims to reduce the shame felt by some children during an already difficult time when their clothes and other items are, for lack of a better alternative, placed in a trash bag for them to carry into a new environment when placed in foster care or transferred from one home to another.

“Placing their possessions in a trash bag at a traumatic time when they are being removed from their homes gives children the impression that their lives are of no value.” said Caroline Jones, founder and executive director of Kind to Kids.  “We would love to make it a brighter transition for the children.”

Nicole Byers used to live in foster care.  She says putting a child’s belongings in a trash bag makes them feel like less of a person.  “Garbage goes in a trash bag, not clothing or valuable things.”