THE IMPACT
Read how Pockets of Hope is making a difference for children in the local community.
10/23:
"I met with a few children at the Child Advocacy Center earlier this week. They have been experiencing chronic homelessness and allegations of physical abuse. When the children saw the bags, their eyes got bit, and they had the biggest smiles. They were so excited as they took items out of the bag, one at a time. Each item they took out, the more excited their voices became. When one of the boys took out the bag of shampoos and soaps, he held it up high and exclaimed, “Now I have my own stuff; that’s all mine!” Another child ran to me with a blanket and pressed it against my face, saying, “Feel this; it’s so soft. I’m going to sleep on it tonight.” The children shared, “This is better than Christmas.” Thank you for Pockets of Hope. The bags genuinely make a difference for so many children in our community."
- Social Worker, Family & Children’s Services Division
11/22:
I don’t usually get to send these out and was excited to answer the phone from a Dad who wanted to share what we file under Mission Possible sentiments.
A caregiver called this morning regarding his daughter being at the CAC last Spring. He said that although she was dealing with something difficult, she had a great experience while at the CAC which was made even better with her Pockets of Hope backpack.
She was unpacking her backpack on the way home and said, “these people who don’t even know me did all this and gave this to me?” It’s great to hear all the ways in which kids and families feel supported in addition to how they recall their experience many months later.
Great work to you and your organization and thank you for allowing us to be one of the recipients!!
- Child Advocacy Center
7/22:
I grabbed a 14 yr old girl bag…thank you!!!
It is so nice to have those here. She now has a soft comfy blanket vs the scratchy jail blanket and a real backpack vs a black garbage bag to carry her belongings. Sometimes it’s those little things that just give people some humanity!
- Family & Children Services
6/22:
Subject: Mission Possible :)
I just had a follow up call with a caregiver; after we discussed updates, he mentioned how much his son appreciated the backpack. The 9 yo had tears in his eyes and said, "there's even socks in here!" 🙂 He also appreciated having someone listen to him.
Thanks, as always, Pockets of Hope, for helping brighten a child's day!
- From Child & Family Advocate
7/21:
Hello!
I was just speaking with a foster mom of a few kiddos who came here recently. She said that one of the girls absolutely LOVES her stuffed monkey that came in the backpack. All of the kids carry their backpacks all over the place. One boy was so happy to have matching socks, he put on all 5 pair at once! Pockets of Hope for the win (once again!). 🙂
- From Child & Family Advocate
5/21:
Just sharing some comments for kids that we gave backpacks to for placement last night.
The kids were very upset being placed - older children. The backpacks helped so much - one boy said when he found a DVD in his backpack - “Dolphin Tale, how did you know that is my favorite movie?” The kids were so excited to have a deck of cards and to get a bunch of new pens.
- From Child Services Supervisor
7/20:
It was a tough day and the child had to be super brave and mom was super nervous and anxious about it. At the end the child was handled a backpack and it was the best thing EVER! They were so so SO excited and the declared that day "THE BEST DAY EVER"! I just thought I'd pass along what an impact that had not only on child, but mom too!
- From relative of a backpack recipient
1/20:
The girls were so excited about the backpacks! Certainly put a smile on their face! Specially after they heard they got to keep it all! They thought they had to give it back when they go back home...
Thank you so much for doing this!! It is so special for the children!
- From Stearns County Social Worker
12/19:
Just a quick note to share a story with you...
We had a young girl in this week and, as I was meeting with mom, I asked what size clothing she wears. Mom had also shared that her daughter love Olaf (from Frozen). Wouldn't you know... there were pjs just her size with Olaf alllll over them! She was pretty excited! 😄 Thank you so much for all you do to provide for these kiddos!!
- From staff at Central Minnesota Child Advocacy Center
11/19:
Hi, Thank you for the backpacks. I saw pure joy on the face of a wonderful child today! He opened the backpack and the staff at early childhood and his foster mother saw a smile on his face that we don't typically see. He kept opening a new pocket and his smile would grow bigger and bigger. His foster mother said she loved the hat. It fits him better that the dollar store hat he had.
You guys are working hard to make a difference in these children's lives, and the lives of their families! Keep up the great work!
- From teacher at Early Childhood
8/19:
Subject: Jumping for Joy
Here’s the scenario:
Child receives her backpack and wants to check it out right away. Literally begins jumping up and down at what she finds inside and says, “ooooohhhh I love it!” Continues to pull items out stating, I got my own chapstick, my own lotion now, a Shopkins etc.
Her mom says, “it’s like they knew you.”
It is one of my favorite parts to be able to see any nervous feelings or apprehension almost instantly change to excitement.
You gals are amazing and I am so appreciative for your continued support for children. Thanks much!!
- From staff at Central Minnesota Child Advocacy Center
7/19:
Just a quick note to you know how great it's been to be able to hand out the backpacks to the kids! We recently had the opportunity to hand out a cat patterned backpack to a child who LOVES cats! :) Day Brightener!
- From staff at Central Minnesota Child Advocacy Center
8/18:
A 5 yr. old boy wearing Spiderman PJ's, recently received a Spiderman backpack. He was excited about the toothbrush and comb, and commented "How did you know I liked Spiderman?!?!"
8/18:
"Thank you for creating the backpacks for the children who enter the CAC (Central Minnesota Child Advocacy Center). My daughter received one and she loves everything about it! She especially enjoys the blanket and dolls. Now when she thinks of the CAC it's the "place she got the backpack full of presents." I can't thank you enough!
- Mom of 2 yr old
7/18:
"I've always wanted one of those High School backpacks!"
- From a 6 year old after receiving his backpack courtesy of Pockets of Hope
3/18:
“I am the lucky one who gets to handout the backpacks to the kiddos. It just makes their day (and mine). They are so happy and greatful. It is a wonderful thing you are doing.”
- From staff at Central Minnesota Child Advocacy Center
7/17:
Note: from a 16 year old recipient. "Thank you for the backpack. I really love that there is a blanket, a tie (one) to be exact. It make me so happy to know there are people out there who care."
3/17:
You need to know that when I delivered **** his stuff yesterday the look on his face was priceless. He was so shocked he didn't know what to say to me. I explained where the stuff came from...what Pockets of Hope offers for the children is wonderful...the kids we work with often do not have anything...so this means so much more than imaginable...so THANK YOU.
Yes, THANK YOU BOTH for coordinating, creating, and delivering! **** is not speechless often, so I'm sure this blew his mind! Awesome!!!
3/17:
One of my favorite work memories is giving an older youth a backpack from Pockets of Hope. This specific youth told me that it was the first time in a really long time that he felt anyone cared about him (& a simple backpack with a few goodies gave him that message!). I love organizations that make a difference. If you have ever thought about children/youth in the foster care system this is an amazing way to give them some comfort and hope! 😊
11/16:
Good Afternoon,
Just thought I’d email to say hello and let you know how excited the children are here when they receive their backpacks from you. It really puts a smile on their face! Thanks so much, have a great day!
4/16:
While completing a room check of a 19 year old male in foster care I noticed the blanket from his Pockets of Hope backpack on his bed. This is the only blanket this youth has in his apartment, I acknowledged the blanket and he stated “it is my favorite blanket it is so cuddly and soft, wait don’t tell anyone I said it is cuddly.”
Thank You to all of the wonderful donors to this program - youth of all ages definitely appreciate all of the items in their backpacks.
10/15:
Our family lives in Todd County and recently had a sibling group of 4 placed with us. They have received your backpacks. I can't tell you how excited they were to have their very own things since they came to us with the clothes on their backs and a schoolbag. Like one other comment I saw, it was like Christmas. It is extremely helpful to us foster parents to not have to go suddenly and buy everything.
Thank you so much for your dedication to foster kids!
9/15:
Last night we placed three kiddos. Ages 10, 9 & 8. These kids have been in and out of foster homes in other states and counties many times. The children were dirty, malnourished, neglected, abused (mentally & physically & sexually) exposed to drugs and who knows what else.
It was like Christmas morning when we got the children to our office and gave them each "their own back packs." The back pack in and of itself was exciting, but as they discovered each and every item the smiles on their faces were priceless. From "I have my own barbie" --- as a question? "really, I get my own?" to pulling out and examining- "a blanket, CLEAN & NEW Pajamas," to the little boys saying "how did you know I like football?" in regards to a Nerf football. The 10 year old girl saying "a journal.... I can't wait to write in it tonight." And an unexpected but making me realize how the smallest things in life- we take the most for granted. As I was driving the three to their foster home, the boy takes out his deodorant. He was so excited as he opened it and smelled it. He shared the smell with his sisters. He said "I get to smell good."
Thank you again for the amazing back packs. They mean a lot to us as Child Protection Social Workers and to the children we serve.