Windward Communications
On Tuesday, Jan. 24, over 20 Middle School students and parents traveled to Hope in a Suitcase for Windward’s first off-campus Service Learning event of the year!
Hope in a Suitcase is an organization that helps many of the 35,000+ youths in foster care throughout Los Angeles County. Their mission is to provide children and teens in foster care with a suitcase/duffel bag, along with basic essentials and comfort items, to make their transition and circumstances just a little easier.
At their headquarters, our students and parents helped put together hygiene kits and art kits to be distributed at various times. Our parents also sorted new clothing that had been donated, which was then put in their onsite store, where foster youth of teen/tween ages are able to choose their own items - free of charge - during “Shopping Days”. They are also able to obtain other items such as shoes, luggage, and books.
Of the event, Ashley Goodman, Director of Service Learning, said “We are so happy to be able to go off campus and have our students see the amazing work of non-profit organizations in-person. We did a clothing and suitcase drive for Hope in a Suitcase in December, but being onsite and being able to have our students and parents hear the origin story from Founder Marsha Austen is another layer of inspiration for all!”
For more information and ways you can contribute, please visit hopeinasuitcase.org.
