We hope you will take the time to learn about Comfort Cases and the amazing work they are doing for foster children. You can get involved by volunteering or donate here.
How NOLA Will Help Local Foster Kids
I knew when I saw Rob years ago on the Ellen Degeneres Show that he was moving the dial on fixing the foster system. Since being on the show, Rob has been able to create a Global Non-Profit, Comfort Cases, that gives kids who are entering the foster system a brand new backpack full of the things that help them to feel like they mean something.
Every day, over 700 children enter the foster system – a system that will forever change their lives.
When kids enter the foster system, they are usually given a plastic trash bag and about three minutes to grab all of their cherished items and put them in the bag. This plastic trash bag is what they carry their lives in as they travel from home to home. Rob created Comfort Cases as a non-profit that helps provide kids in the foster system with their very own backpack that contain basic supplies like pajamas and toothbrushes. A backpack that gives these foster kids some dignity and hopefully comfort as they navigate entering the foster care system.
I wanted so much to work with Rob and this amazing non-profit. I knew there were stories of hope and resilience that needed to be told so more people could understand the heartbreaking situations these children come from.
Our platform at Nolapapa.com was created to showcase the beautiful complexities that make our society more vibrant and accepting. We all want a seat at the table. And my goal is to create a loving and embracing place.
Comfortcases.org, Rob, and his entire team travel around the world to create packing parties that are attended by local communities who have come together in support of this cause. Local communities assemble these backpacks with pajamas, books, blankets, hygiene kits and so much more.
Last week, they took their organization to New York, Las Vegas, and Los Angeles to pack over a thousand of these cases. They are then distributed LOCALLY in their communities. All the comfort cases stay local and are given directly to the kids who need them!
I knew OUTREACH was NolaPapa’s next mission. While I know we have the podcast, I felt like more needed to happen. It was time to put action into place!
That said, we have helped create a packing party the New Orleans community soon won’t forget!
On Saturday, September 21st from 10:00am -12:30pm, we will gather at Ashé Arts and Cultural Center at 1712 Oretha Castle Haley Blvd to assemble 300 deconstructed backpacks that will go directly to our local children in need!
We will begin with a few special words from our local leaders: from the Louisiana Senate, Mr. Royce Duplessis, and the New Orleans City Council, Ms. Lesli Harris from District B.
Lunch will be generously provided by Ruby Slipper Cafe from 12:00 PM-12:30 PM.
We need VOLUNTEERS and MONETARY donations to allow these amazing events to happen. Comfort Cases uses its national sponsors as well as local sponsors from businesses and people in each community they visit.
Foster care hits deep for me. That is why I am tirelessly working to make this event as impactful as I can. But I cannot do it alone.