Studies have shown that new clothing can boost confidence and self-esteem; as well as, promote peer acceptance and a better learning environment.
With over 700 children in foster care on any given day in Clark County, all too often resources to serve these kids are stretched way too thin. One pressing need is something most of us take for granted—having clothing that fits and feels like their own.
In 2010, two of our members, Jeanne and Midge, decided to change that. Each was inspired by their own personal experience, but both shared the same goal— to give foster youth access to brand new clothing. After brainstorming and partnering with the Department of Social & Health Services, they launched the JUST because… program (Jeans, Underwear, Socks, and T-shirts).
Today, in partnership with Washington’s Department of Children, Youth and Families (DCYF), the program provides foster youth, ages 10–21, with two shopping opportunities each year. With the support of the Grand Central Fred Meyer in Vancouver, a Back-to-School shopping event in August and another in the Spring, give young people the chance to pick out clothing that helps them feel confident and cared for.
This year, we’re piloting an expansion to this program to include unhoused students from the Vancouver and Evergreen School Districts, with the hope of reaching even more children and teens who need support in the future.
In the past year, 206 children living in foster care were provided with new shoes and clothing at Fall and Spring shopping events.
“I want to take a minute to say thank you for all the donations and support offered to my teenage client. She is 16 years old and brand new to foster care. She came to the Department with absolutely nothing. Her desire is to get clean of drugs, go back to school, and learn to live a normal life. She was able to get brand new jeans, shirts, shoes, socks, and bras. She was so excited and said she felt like a princess. This had a huge impact on her and she continues to be grateful and thankful.”
“As a Social worker, so many times when teens come into care, they have nothing, and in the past the Department had little to nothing to offer them. And now without access to any money for clothing, our kids would have nothing, so thank-you so much for the amazing impact that buying clothes for these kids makes.”
~Social Workers
“I’ve never had clothes with tags on them.”
~16 year old boy in foster care