On March 23rd, County Commissioners, Board members, and Hillsborough County Affordable Housing staff joined the Children's Home Network to cut the ribbon on the new campus improvement projects!
The new donation center will provide children living at Kids Village with free clothing and essentials. Arranged to look like a clothing store, they can 'shop' for their own styles and preferences and regain a sense of independence and normalcy.
"The State provides foster youth with a $300 allowance per year to cover clothing and essentials. However, this isn't enough to provide them with everything they need, especially as many children arrive with little to no belongings, having been removed from their homes at short notice without having time to pack or say goodbye," said Irene Rickus, CEO at the Children's Home Network.
"The new Donation Center helps meet that need and gives the children some dignity and control back in their lives. They can 'shop' for everything they need, whether clothes, sneakers, a dress to wear to prom, a swimsuit, or a backpack for school. It costs them nothing and significantly impacts their self-confidence and personal growth."
The Donation Center has everything from clothes, shoes, self-care and hygiene items, school supplies, and room décor. The center is staffed by Children's Home Network staff and open to all children on campus to take whatever they want, whenever they need it.
Funded through a Hillsborough County Community Development Block Grant, the donation center building is in addition to a new maintenance building and campus security upgrades. Thank you to our wonderful community partners and donors who helped us stock the center!
