ADOLESCENTS AGING OUT OF FOSTER CARE BENEFIT FROM SHOWER AT WYCLIFFE
NCJW PROJECT LIFT HELPS 18 YEAR OLDS MOVING TO INDEPENDENT LIVING
WELLINGTON, FL – The Palm Beach Section of the National Council of Jewish Women (NCJW) in partnership with Vita Nova, Inc., held a shower at Wycliffe Golf and Country Club which netted hundreds of household items that will go to adolescents aging out of foster care on their 18th birthday.
Hosted by Wycliffe residents Liz Greene and Shelley Wortman, the event brought together more than 50 Wycliffe women who brought sheet sets, pillows, blankets, towels, dishes, flatware, glasses, pots and pans, as well as small but needed kitchen tools.
These items, all new, will be packed into suitcases, laundry hampers and storage containers and given to 18 year old foster care youth who leave foster care on their 18th birthday and must begin to live on their own. In the past they have had to leave the foster home with their few belongings in garbage bags, and start anew with nothing to put in a rental apartment they have had to secure. Since the beginning of the LIFT on the ROAD TO INDEPENDENCE Project of the Palm Beach Section of NCJW, all 18 year olds aging out of foster care in Palm Beach County now have the dignity of owning the basics for their bedroom, bathroom and kitchen.
NCJW works with Vita Nova, Inc., which provides independent living skills to youth ages 16-23. Elizabeth Smiley, Independent Living Coordinator for Vita Nova, Inc. said “NCJW’s LIFT Program provides the necessities these young adults need to start living on their own. Vita Nova, Inc. can help them locate an apartment, either in the Vita Nova Village we operate, or in a moderately priced apartment complex, but once in the apartment they are overwhelmed by the items they need to make it function. The NCJW LIFT project fills a huge gap for these young adults. It is so rewarding to watch them unwrap new items for their apartment and see their faces light up as they realize they are not getting hand-me-downs, and they will not have to spend their very limited resources to get the items they need.” Ms. Smiley noted that the LIFT on the ROAD TO INDEPENDENCE Project has received the Department of Children and Families PARTNERS FOR PROMISE AWARD for making a difference in our community.
Darianne T., one of the first recipients of the NCJW project, attended the shower and thanked NCJW and the women for caring for kids in foster care. She so grateful for the the items she received. Darien has graduated from high school and is enrolled in college, studying to become an EMT .
Christene Campbell-Gabor, an NCJW volunteer, unveiled its newest project utilizing volunteers, NCJW members, spouses or friends, to provide life skills once a month to foster care youth older than 18, who are now living independently. Working closely with Elizabeth Smiley and her staff at Vita Nova, Inc, the life skills sessions will focus on communications, listening, interpersonal skills, identity theft, money and time management, and will offer practical information like fire safety, nutrition and smart shopping.
NCJW welcomes community support for this project. For additional information please contact NCJW at 561-790-7440, www.ncjwpalmbeach.org or Vita Nova, Inc. at 561-689-0035 www.vitanovainc.org.
The National Council of Jewish Women is a grassroots organization of volunteers and advocates who turn progressive ideals into action. Inspired by Jewish values, NCJW strives for social justice by improving the quality of life for women, children and families, and by safeguarding individual rights and freedoms.
Vita Nova Inc. is a non-profit organization committed to addressing the high priority needs of Palm Beach County’s adolescents in and aging out of foster care and to providing them the support and life skills to complete their education and live independently.
In the attached photograph from L to R:
Jessica Joy, Vita Nova Transition Specialist, Darianne T., Elizabeth Smiley, Vita Nova Independent Living Coordinator, Judy Traub, Shelley Wortman and Liz Greene, NCJW volunteers and shower hostesses.
