Helping Children Heal
When a child escapes abuse within their home, they need support to weather the crisis, heal, and move forward. Things of My Very Own, Inc. is a lifeline for children fleeing abuse. From providing basic necessities to teaching life skills that instill confidence and self-worth, our services lift fragile children from a place of harm to one of hope.
Helping Children Heal
When a child escapes abuse within their home, they need support to weather the crisis, heal, and move forward. Things of My Very Own, Inc. is a lifeline for children fleeing abuse. From providing basic necessities to teaching life skills that instill confidence and self-worth, our services lift fragile children from a place of harm to one of hope.
Hear about the positive impact our efforts make.
Things of My Very Own, Inc. provides crisis intervention services to children impacted by extensive abuse and/or neglect.
Services are also available to children who are, solely due to the lack of items necessary for sustainability, at risk of a Child Protective Services intervention.
Our goal is to keep children together with non-abusive family members, and out of the foster care system, whenever possible.
Hear about the positive impact our efforts make.
Things of My Very Own, Inc. provides crisis intervention services to children impacted by extensive abuse and/or neglect.
Services are also available to children who are, solely due to the lack of items necessary for sustainability, at risk of a Child Protective Services intervention.
Our goal is to keep children together with non-abusive family members, and out of the foster care system, whenever possible.
Connect With Us
Join the conversation on Facebook, learn where help is needed, and be inspired by a growing community that cares.
Things of My Very Own
Things of My Very Own, Inc. is a 501(c)3 non-profit corporation that provides crisis intervention services and programs to children in emergency situations, specifically, those who have experienced extensive abuse or neglect.
Our holiday pick-ups on Tuesday evening were scheduled to begin at 5pm. At 4pm when we arrived back at the building, a gentleman was already exiting a taxi. He struggled to get out of the vehicle explaining that he had recently had heart surgery. “I can’t walk good and I didn’t want to miss getting things for the children.”
Child protective services had contacted him recently, stating that the children were no longer able to stay with their mother. He had taken the children home with him, and has been doing his absolute best to care for them, without help from others.*
As the gentleman stood outside, he still appeared a bit anxious. It had been quite the endeavor arranging transportation to pick up his gifts. Taxis are expensive, especially when you are already struggling. He hoped that there were gifts for all his children, and that his Wish Tags had been selected.
Minutes later, a staff member came out and handed him a few bags. He walked them to the taxi, but was then called back for more. As he turned to grab the second set of bags, a sense of peace seemed to come over him. He knew that each of the items his children had been gifted with proved, that someone in the world cares about his family. On top of that, ALL of his children had been sponsored.
He was humble and grateful both for the gifts and the fact that there was one less obstacle stacked against him.
Thank you to the individuals who sponsored the four children in this family. Thanks to each of you, this dad can rest well knowing that Santa WILL make it to his home on Christmas Eve.
Our Sponsor-a-Child in Crisis Program is now in full swing. There are thousands of wonderful children and their adults hoping that someone in the world will be their Santa, and make their Christmas dreams come true.
Make a donation today to make a life altering impact on one of these families the way that this families sponsors did. If we can get all of the children in this first round sponsored by tomorrow morning, we’ll reopen up sign-ups for other families in crisis situations.
* Case details omitted out of respect for this family.
Thank you for what you do - children should not have to go without necessities nor things that bring them joy. ❤
Does it matter which link we donate to if we want to help out with shopping for tags
Thank you Things of My Very Own for all that you do!
That is such a heartwarming story, and so well told too. I made a donation earlier today and I would like to say how extremely grateful I am for the wonderful, life altering work that Things of My Very Own accomplishes for children and families in peril. Thank You all so much!
Thank you for relaying these stories. I think many of us want to help and knowing that our donations are going to real people is heartwarming.
I sponsored a teen this year for the first time. I had so much fun shopping for her and knowing she was going to have a great Christmas! 💕
Gladly donated earlier.. Bless you all...
What great work you do... bless all of you.
Remind us again where we can pick up those in need slips ... thanx
❤️
Are there others that need to be sponsored? How can I help more? This post is crushing my heart
If we make a donation does someone purchase the gifts?
💕
Grace Aponte-Janikas
Our team began their day at 4am and we are just getting home now. It has been a day filled with both heartbreaking situations and moments of pure joy.
Both emergency and non-emergency referrals poured in throughout the day and evening, as clients and caseworkers struggled to get through on our overburdened phone lines. In between telephone calls, we met with overwhelmed grandmothers, teenage girls in search of feminine hygiene products, and little boys who want to grow up to be everything, all at the same time.
The dad we posted about earlier received a delivery of aid earlier this evening. He was completely overcome by surprise and gratitude at what we were able to pull together in such a short amount of time. Thank you to everyone who contributed to his case. If you had seen this fathers tears, you too would have cried, as our emergency aid coordinator did.
Later on in the day, our friends at Capitol Kitchens & Baths worked overtime to provide logistical support for our Sponsor-a-Child in Crisis Program. Their team proved that sometimes your neighbors can be your biggest advocates, and also that large trucks CAN make it in and out of our parking lot. 🙂
We’re still missing gifts for many children that were due by last Saturday. At this point, it doesn’t appear that they are coming in. We as an organization have about 24-hours to purchase gifts for these children before we have to clear the shelves to make room for the next round of Wish Tag items. There’s a tremendous amount of work to be done but we CAN do this if we come together as a community.
Please, make your monetary contribution today. Help us to show these children that even a global pandemic can’t stop Santa from arriving on time.
If you prefer to shop for children, Wish Tags are still available at the following locations.
ALBANY
- (location on hold until all the children in this round have received gifts)
GLENVILLE
- Manhattan Bistro & Bagel- 123 Saratoga Road
- Slice of Glenville- 10 Glenridge Rd
LATHAM-
- Casey Law Office- 995 New Loudon Road (Currently out of Wish Tags)
SCHENECTADY
- Capitol District Supply- 315 Green Street
Sharing and much appreciation for all the volunteers!
Thank you to all the volunteers who are helping out!
Donated. Thank you and all the volunteers for all you do to help the families.
Angels on earth..God bless you for the work that you do. May it be repaid to you twofold!!!!
We took 17 tags from Manhattan Bagel last Wednesday (emptied their tree) for our work team...we will be dropping off on Sat morning...all tags fufilled!🎅🏻🎅🏻
We'll stop and get some more at Slice of Glenville before we come to you tomorrow night 💙
You all are awesome!
Do you know when Casey Law in Latham will get more tags?
Does Encourage Salon in Clifton Park still have wish tags?
I just picked up 2 more tags from Slice about an hour ago. There was maybe 4-6 left just to give an update on that location.
Lisa Robinson
How do I volunteer?
I know that toy and hygiene items need to be new for the wish tag program. Is that also true for clothing and shoes, or they may be in gently used condition?
Thank you for the tremendous work you do.
Just donated through Facebook. Thanks for all the work you do!
Do you want the items purchased for the tags wrapped or unwrapped ?
We sponored a child thanks to your tag at Merv's Auto Shop in Amsterdam. Merv and his wife helped us out a lot and we had the gifts delivered to their home. They agreed to drop them off with their own. It truly takes a village.
Did people take tags and not fulfill them?
Govan Anthony Martin
Our children’s tags are completed and fulfilled. I will be dropping them off tomorrow
Good people, you
Rachael Weber Mincher
URGENT NEEDS CASE
We just came from visiting a family at their home and the situation is heartbreaking. When we arrived at the home, Dad brought the children's double stroller out to the porch. The stroller is torn; one wheel is barely hanging on. It's his sole source of transportation for his three children. It's also the only way he can get them food each day.
The stroller is only the beginning of what this Dad is battling. His wife died one month ago today. His heart is still in pieces. Now she is gone and as he held back tears, he filled out his Wish Tags: "Lost wife Nov 12, 2020. So lost without her. Need help".
After visiting the home, we have determined that the needs of this family are urgent.*
Urgent Case #5742020
Two-year-old girl
Shirts: 3T
Coat: 3T
Pants: 3T
Undergarments: Diapers size 5
Shoes: 9c
Five-year-old boy
Shirts: 5T
Coat: 5T
Pants: 5T
Undergarments: 5T and diapers size 6
Shoes: 11c
Five-year-old girl
Shirts: 6
Coat: 6
Pants: 6
Undergarments: 6
Shoes: 12c
Dad
Shirts: medium/large
Coat: large
Pants: 34 waist, unknown length
Undergarments: medium boxer shorts
Shoes: 9
Urgent Needs: Dad is heartbroken. He spoke of Thanksgiving and how he and the children had placed a meal in front of Mom's photo, serving her as they would any other year. His devastation is clear, yet he is determined to do what he can to continue supporting the children during this time. The family is in desperate need of twin-sized bedding, food, milk cards, a double or triple stroller (may be in like-new condition), winter clothing, winter soots, socks and sneakers. Dad needs winter clothing, snow boots, a winter coat, undergarments, socks and queen-sized bedding.
Please make a donation today to help this grieving family through this tough time. Things of My Very Own has the ability to get items to the family at an extremely discounted rate, on an immediate need basis. For this reason, monetary donations go further.
If you have any of the items on-hand, donations may be brought or mailed to the following address**:
Things of My Very Own; Family #5742020
249 Green Street
Schenectady, NY 12305
Donation drop-off hours: Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays from 9am-noon. We thank each of you for helping this family in this time of need.
The Wish Tags for these children are at Capitol District Supply which is located at 315 Green Street in Schenectady.
* Case details are being shared with permission from the client.
** If you are dropping off or mailing donations to this specific family, please be sure to include the “Family #5742020”, on the package.
This is heartbreaking! Thank you for all the angels out there. Things of My Very Own you're an amazing group. Donated but was not able to add case number.
Glad to see so much money raised already. Is there anything we can give the father? Is he in need of anything?
It's pretty amazing to see the overwhelming response. Such generosity....what a beautiful thing!
So heart breaking. I'm glad I'm in a position where I can donate to this family. I can't imagine losing my spouse.
This family has been through soooo much! I personally know Dad. He is such a hardworking, great example of a Father and man! There's nothing he wouldn't do for anyone! You guys are so very generous! While this doesn't bring Mama back, it certainly is life changing! From the depths of my soul and heart, thank you all soooo very much! ❤
I have a nice double stroller! And toddler girl clothes and shoes! I will be there SOON - Friday.
Do you guys have Venmo?
I have a double stroller but I see someone above posted- let me know if you need mine.
Shared
Is there any way to make sure that the father can talk to someone about his grief/loss? And is there any way to help with the rent/mortgage?
How do I order online and have it shipped to you guys?
Please keep an eye out for a prime pantry delivery for them on December 9th. 💝 Family # is included in delivery address.
Just sent a huge box of diapers via Amazon. If Dad has any needs, could you post them? Thank you.
I have a double stroller in my attic right now been covered up with a bad. Can i bring it
Are you guys affiliated with anyone in NJ
I have some extra girly presents I don’t need for my daughter who is also 5... is there any way to find out what else she likes??
Sad to see these images. People are willing to help, just reach out and ask.
I see the 5 year old wears pull ups. Does the 2 year old wear pulls ups or regular diapers?
Would you be able to give them twin bedding, clothes and maybe a small stuffed animal each, if I wash them on the "sanitize" setting (with nothing else in either machine), color safe bleach, and dry on the volcanic like sanitize setting on the dryer? I dont have much, but this breaks my heart and id like to help out by sharing what my daughter and I have, if possible. Please let me know!
I have a front/back double stroller if you are still in need. Pls let me know either way.
I have a used but in great condition twin bed / frame, headboard, foot board and clean barely used mattress & box spring if they could use it .... please let me know
I'm bringing a double stroller with a sit and stand 3rd child option tomorrow!
If the dad gets medicaid/fidelis it will cover pull ups for the 5yr old..he would only need a script from the drs
Can donations go directly to the family ?
Like new , barely worn 2t. Can this help?
