Tiffany Haddish's She Ready Foundation Partners with Second Nurture, Comfort Cases, and Book Foundation to Present "Treasures Not Trash"

A child with a Comfort Case.

A Packing Party of Essential Items for Los Angeles Area Youth in Foster Care

LOS ANGELES, June 16, 2022 Local and international organizations are joining forces in Los Angeles on Sunday, June 19 to support local youth in foster care. At a "packing party," volunteers will fill 500 backpacks and duffel bags with essential items to be given to local organizations to distribute to youth in need.

"We need more people to look into the opportunities to provide positive support by either volunteering or becoming foster parents to these young people," states Rabbi Susan Silverman, founder and Executive Director of Second Nurture. "Today's event is an important stepping-stone to build awareness and support the needs of the thousands of youth in foster care."

Nearly 100 youth per day are put in foster care in the state of California. There are currently more than 33,000 youth in foster care in Los Angeles County.

Nearly 100 youth per day are put in foster care in the state of California. There are currently more than 33,000 youth in foster care in Los Angeles County. They often face abuse, homelessness and emotional distress.

Award-winning actress Tiffany Haddish founded She Ready Foundation because of her experiences as a youth in foster care, "packing her belongings in garbage bags and feeling like the world had forgotten her." She Ready Executive Director, Dr. Thyonne Gordon is excited about the collaboration, "When we join forces, we have greater impact and youth feel loved and know they are not forgotten. Today's event shows how each person can help and is one more step towards eliminating trash bags for our treasured children."

The event is titled, "Treasures Not Trash". Ten years ago, Rob Scheer founded Comfort Cases to promote hope and dignity to youth in foster care – particularly by working to end the policy of giving trash bags to these youth when moving them to and from foster care facilities. Rob was given a trash bag for his belongings when he "aged out" of his foster home, becoming homeless at 18. When Rob's children first arrived at his door, they had the very same trash bags. This practice must come to an end.

250 "Comfort Cases" (backpacks) and 250 "Comfort XLs" (duffel bags) will be packed between 2:30-4:00pm at Temple Israel Los Angeles: 7300 Hollywood Boulevard. They will be distributed to local foster care organizations including: Project Joy, LADCFS, Penny Lane Centers, LA County Sheriff's Department, Positive Results Center, Sanctuary of Hope, Children Youth & Family Collaborative

In each of the comfort cases and XLs, youth will find: new pajamas, new blanket, hygiene kit (toothbrush, toothpaste, shampoo, conditioner, etc.), a "stuffy" and a new book. Scheer explains: "To have your own shampoo, bar of soap and toothpaste – or a new stuffed toy and book, not a hand-me-down, is so powerful and meaningful to these children. It gives them value and dignity, and isn't that something we all, as good humans, should expect?"

The Book Foundation will be providing the books included. They are all new, age-appropriate books surely to be embraced by these youth. "Children growing up in homes with no books are 'on average' three years behind children in homes with lots of books," states The Book Foundation founder Ruth Stalford. "And in low-income areas the ratio of books to children is 1 to 300. Literacy is the key to opening doors and creating opportunity."

Details of "Treasures Not Trash" Packing Party:

When: Sunday, June 19 / 2:30-4:30pm
Where: Temple Israel Los Angeles: 7300 Hollywood Boulevard