Start a Program

If a program does not exist in your area, start one yourself. There are several steps you can use to begin:

1. Start small. You don’t need to cover your whole state immediately. It will be easier to work with your town first. As things get going you can expand your efforts to the county and then to your state.

2. Find and meet with your local Department of Social Services Foster Care Director. Discuss your plans for distributing suitcases to the kids in your area. Show them how each child could receive one immediately.
3. Once the Director is behind you find out:

  • How many suitcases they want.
  • Can they store extras or do you need to find someplace to store them yourself.
  • If they will supply you with contacts in other foster care offices so that you can continue your project with them.

4. Make up flyers asking for help. Be sure to include your name and telephone number.

5. Put copies of the notices in church bulletins and club newsletters. Post them in grocery stores, libraries, and in community newspapers.

6. Don’t do it alone. There are organizations available that will be willing to help you. Start with the 4-H clubs, Girl Scout Troops, and Boy Scout Troops. Talk to the churches and community groups in the area such as the Jaycees, Lions clubs, and Rotary clubs. Give them your flyers to distribute to their members. It actually works better if you speak to each group personally. Ask them for suitcases, backpacks, and duffel bags large enough for a child to carry all of their belongings in. Make sure they can contact you and know where the suitcases should be taken.

7. Don’t forget to contact your local newspapers and cable channels. They will want to know what you are doing and it will be great advertizing for your project. Try to get pictures taken of you and some suitcases. More people will read these stories than ones that don’t contain any pictures. Write down any extra information you can for them, they will appreciate it.

8. Send thank you notes to every person and group that supplies you with suitcases. People need to be acknowledged for the work they do.

9. Create a website; let people find you on the web.

10. Contact Suitcases4Kids and let us know what you are doing. Make sure we are connected.

11. Make sure that people and organizations understand that this isn’t just a one time collection. Just as more and more children enter the system every day, suitcases will continue to be required to move their belongings and help build their self esteem.