HAP CareSource Partners with Comfort Cases to Support Michigan Youths in Foster Care

KENT COUNTY, Mich (CARESOURCE) - More than 40 volunteers from HAP CareSource and Comfort Cases recently hosted a “packing party” to fill backpacks with comfort and personal care items for Kent County, Michigan youth foster children. The goal of the volunteers was simple: making sure children in foster care are comforted on their first night with their new foster families.

(Photo: CareSource)

Comfort Cases, a non-profit organization, and HAP CareSource, a nationally recognized nonprofit, partnered to stuff 500 backpacks, filled with comfort and personal care items which were distributed to Samaritas, Bethany Christian Services and Child Welfare Program for Kent County Department of Health & Human Services (HHS) to give to local Michigan children in or entering the foster care system.

“We were honored to support Comfort Cases and their mission, especially in Grand Rapids and greater Michigan,” said Sarah Musser, vice president market operations, HAP CareSource. “We focus on bringing the best outcomes to youth in foster care – both physically and mentally.  Our hope is that the love we pack in these Comfort Cases brings consolation and a smile to a child during a tough time.”

Why the need for Comfort Cases backpacks? For decades, it has been common practice for youth entering foster care to be handed a black trash bag to use as their only luggage. There are approximately 13,000 youth in foster care in the state of Michigan and upward of 600 every day in Kent County.

“What made the event so special was knowing that HAP CareSource is looking out for our children in foster care,” said Nancy Davis, director of external strategy, market operations Michigan, for HAP CareSource. “The children may not understand why they are going to a new home. These comfort cases allow them to have security in having their own new pajamas, toiletries, books, blankets and stuffed animals as they begin their stay with their foster family.”

Rob Scheer, founder and CEO of Comfort Cases, was in foster care as a youth and was given his trash bag by his foster parents when he “aged out” of foster care at age 18 and still a senior in high school.  He is now the father of five children, all adopted through the foster care system.

“The foster care system is broken,” said Scheer. “How is it possible that 40 years after I was handed my black trash bag, that my children came to my front door with the very same trash bags? Every child deserves to pack their belongings in a bag they can call their own.  We are grateful to have partnered with the good people at HAP CareSource and those in the Grand Rapids community willing to take the extra step to help our youth in need.”

(Photo: CareSource)

Out of the 500 cases packed, Samaritas of West Michigan took 250 Comfort Cases for local children in foster care. Each case was filled with someone special in mind.

“There’s nothing generic about these cases, each of them was based on age and size, so that each child doesn’t get a pair of pajamas that’s the wrong size,” said Samaritas Program Manager, Hope James. “They had cases for infants who need pacifiers, who need bottles, who need different diapers. We have older children who need an entirely different set of things. They are specifically providing what each child at each age might need.”  

“I am so proud that our HAP CareSource teams came from across Michigan and Ohio to Grand Rapids to support this amazing event,” added Davis.  “The energy in the room was contagious. I can’t wait for another Comfort Case packing event later this year.”