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July 2011
First Lady Mary Pat Christie Honors the Youth Advisory Board
Shaina Gallagher; Alexus Serguson; First Lady Mary Pat Christie; Bob Jones, Ph.D., president & CEO of Children's Aid and Family Services; Department of Children and Families Commissioner Allison Blake; Lottie Ward and Amy Corso, Director of Operations, Wal-Mart.
WMBC-TV Anchor Matt Fitzpatrick interviews Shaina Gallagher, president of the Youth Advisory Board.
Thanks to the efforts of the members of the agency's Youth Advisory Board (YAB), several thousand foster children will carry their belongings in duffel bags, instead of the garbage bags they used in the past. Led by former foster child Shaina Gallagher, the YAB organized a petition drive and documented their personal testimonies about the humiliation of having to use garbage bags for luggage. Their petitions, in the "Bags Today, Luggage Tomorrow" campaign, were sent to Commissioner Allison Blake of the state Department of Children and Families. Commissioner Blake sought a donation of luggage and Wal-Mart generously responded by donating 7,000 duffel bags to the state.
The Youth Advisory Board is a group of young people in foster care who advocate for other foster children. They perform service projects throughout the year, such as "Bags Today, Luggage Tomorrow."
On Thursday, July 21, 2011, state officials, including First Lady Mary Pat Christie, Commissioner Blake, Foster and Adoptive Family Services Executive Director Mary Jane Awrachow joined Director of Operations for Wal-Mart Amy Corso to honor the members of the Youth Advisory Board at a press conference held at Children's Aid and Family Services. Mrs. Christie met privately with the members of the YAB before speaking at the press conference. She told them, "I can't tell you how much what you do will affect people you don't even know."
During the press conference, Shaina explained to the officials from the state and members of the media that moving with personal items in garbage bags is embarrassing and humiliating. Thanks to the efforts and advocacy of the Youth Advisory Board, foster children will now have one less burden.
Tickets Available to
"Little Hands Need Big Help"
Click here for more information
Ashley Rhodes-Courter, author of the New York Times bestselling novel, "Three Little Words," will speak at a reception hosted by Children's Aid and Family Services and the PGA TOUR Wives Association. "Little Hands Need Big Help" will be held on Tuesday, August 23, 2011, from 6:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. at Pines Manor, 2085 Route 27, Edison, NJ. Bestselling author Harlan Coben will emcee the event.
Rhodes-Courter was only 3 years old when she entered the foster care system. She lived with 14 different foster families before being adopted at age 12. Rhodes-Courter is a passionate speaker who gives a voice and hope for children in foster care. She will speak and sign copies of her book.
Proceeds from this champagne cocktail reception will benefit the agency's Medical Services and Advocacy Center for children in foster care and the PGA TOUR Wives Association's designated charities, including "Blessings in a Backpack."
For more information on sponsorships, call 201-261-2800 or visit www.cafsnj.org. Ticket prices start at $50. To order tickets, visit https://cafsnj.ejoinme.org/MyPages/LittleHandsneedBigHelp/tabid/291000/Default.aspx.
Children's Aid and Family Services has a 110-year history of helping vulnerable children and families. Our services include adoption, foster care, child care and early education, alcohol and drug abuse education and prevention, eldercare and community educational programs and workshops. There are so many ways for you to get involved and make a difference. Adopt. Foster. Donate. Volunteer. For more information, call 201.261.2800 or visit www.cafsnj.org.
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