Help a Child in Need
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.
Our Video Tells the Story
Help a Child in Need
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.
Our Video Tells the Story
Help Us to Reach Our Urgent Fundraising Goal!
Our Fundraising Goal: $20,000 for our Rooftop Heating Unit
Rooftop heating unit hit by lightning. Click to view larger image.
One of the organization’s rooftop heating units is in desperate need of replacement.
Rooftop units typically last 10-15 years, ours is over 25 years old and was recently hit by lightning.
PMA Mechanical generously worked on the unit to keep it running for the next couple of months, but the unit is in desperate need of replacement. The cost of a replacement unit, plus the crane to get it on top of the roof, is estimated to be approximately $20,000.
Please, help us avoid future loss by contributing toward the cost of a new rooftop unit.
The Founder’s Story
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URGENT NEED
We have a wonderful, exceptionally strong single mother who is desperate need of immediate assistance for her seven children. Mom is eight-months pregnant and recently left her abuser. Soon after, she was diagnosed with a life-threatening medical condition. We are working with this beautiful family to come up with a long-term plan. Right now, providing their basic needs is our top priority.
Family # 4172019
Unborn baby boy
Shirts: Newborn
Pants: Newborn
Diapers: Newborn
Seven-year-old girl
Shirts: 10/12 Medium girls or 14/16 Large girls
Pants: 10/12 Medium girls or 14/16 Large girls
Undergarments: 10/12; small training bra
Shoes: 3 youth
Nine-year-old boy
Shirts: 10/12 Medium boys
Pants: 10/12 Medium boys
Undergarments: 10/12 (boxers preferred)
Shoes: 5 youth
Ten-year-old girl
Shirts: 14/16 Large girls or XS juniors
Pants: 14/16 Large girls or 0-3 Women's jeans
Undergarments: 14; Women's small training bra
Shoes: 4 to 4 1/2 youth
13-year-old boy
Shirts: 14/16 Large Boys
Pants: 14/16 Large Boys
Undergarments: 14/16 boys (Boxers preferred)
Shoes: 6 1/2 to 7 Men's
14-year-old boy
Shirts: Small to Medium Men's
Pants: 28-30 Men's Pants
Undergarments: Small Men's (Boxers preferred)
Shoes: 10 Men's
15-year-old boy
Shirts: Small to Medium Men's
Pants: 28-30 Men's Pants
Undergarments: Small Men's (Boxers preferred)
Shoes: 10 1/2 to 11 Men's
Notes: The family situation is complicated by extensive medical needs but this loving mom is determined to make sure that her children have everything they need. This family is in need of four mattresses, two bunk bed sets (due to space constraints), bedding and pillows (one queen, all the rest twin), summer clothing, undergarments, socks, shoes, towels, baby bottles, personal hygiene products (shampoo, conditioner, deodorant, etc.) and baby related items.
Things of My Very Own has negotiated with companies and is able to purchase many of these needed items at a fraction of retail prices. For this reason, monetary donations go MUCH further. Please make a monetary donation today to help provide this family with the items they need to start over again.
If you have any of the items on-hand and want to give to this family, donations may be brought or mailed to the following address:
Things of My Very Own, Inc.
249 Green Street
Schenectady, NY 12305
Donation drop-off hours: Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays from 9am-noon.
We thank you in advance for helping this family through this difficult time.
** Please be sure to include the family #4172019 on any donations given to this specific family.**
The organization is looking for approximately 6,000 sf of space to use or rent this November-January to allow our Sponsor-a-Child in Crisis Program to be more efficient this year. The space must be in Schenectady County, preferably, within the City of Schenectady. We prefer the space be one or two large rooms with heat. If you or someone you know has space available, please contact info@tomvo.org.
We thank you in advance for your assistance.
We have a lovely woman in reception who has taken emergency custody of her great niece after the little girl was abandoned by her own mother. "I could never have children so once I heard what happened, I figured it was meant to be". Although the circumstances are broken, this great aunt wants to bring healing and love to this little girl.
Family #4022019
One-year-old little girl
Shirts: 12-months
Pants: 12-months
Diapers: size-3
Shoes: 3 infant
Notes: This great aunt took emergency custody of her sweet little grand niece but did not have time to prepare. She was able to secure a pack-n-play but the netting is ripped making it unsafe for use. When a mother leaves her child behind often that child grows to wonder if they themselves are lovable. This great aunt is excited to care for this little girl and be a strong mother figure in this little girls life. She is devoted to creating a safe and warm place for her great niece to grow up in.
This family is in URGENT need of a crib or pack 'n play, clothing, shoes, diapers, baby wipes, personal hygiene products (baby wash, baby shampoo, etc.) and food.
Things of My Very Own has negotiated with companies and is able to purchase many of these needed items at a fraction of retail prices. For this reason, monetary donations go MUCH further. Please make a monetary donation today to help provide this family with the items they need so this child can start over in this loving home.
If you have any of the items on-hand and want to give to this family, donations may be brought or mailed to the following address:
Things of My Very Own, Inc.
249 Green Street
Schenectady, NY 12305
Donation drop-off hours: Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays from 9am-noon.
We thank you in advance for helping this family through this difficult time.
** Please be sure to include the family #4022019 on any donations given to this specific family.**
We have a family at the Crisis Intervention Center whose situation is a bit different. One of the children in the family suffers with a chronic illness, is often hospitalized and frequently unable to attend school. Mom reached out to Child Protective Services for help coordinating services "before things spiraled out of control". This great mom is fortunate to have a FANTASTIC CPS Worker who referred her to Things of My Very Own for services.
Family #3982019
16-year-old girl
Shirts: 14/ Large Women's
Pants: Medium Women's
Undergarments: Women's 7
Shoes: 10 Women's
13-year-old girl
Shirts: Large Women's
Pants: 8
Undergarments: 7
Shoes: 8 Women's
Notes: Mom is unable to work due to daughters management of her daughters medical condition and her frequent hospitalizations. The other child in the family has been the victim of severe bullying. Both are in need of the items listed below and would benefit greatly from items that will cheer them up.
The family is currently in need of (2) twin-sized comforters, sheets, clothing, shoes, towels and personal hygiene supplies (shampoo, conditioner, bar soap, deodorant, laundry detergent, etc.) and feminine hygiene supplies (pads please).
Things of My Very Own has negotiated with companies and is able to purchase many of these needed items at a fraction of retail prices. For this reason, monetary donations go MUCH further. Please make a monetary donation today to help provide this family with the items they need so these children can stay with their mother and out of the foster care system.
If you have any of the items on-hand and want to give to this family, donations may be brought or mailed to the following address:
Things of My Very Own, Inc.
249 Green Street
Schenectady, NY 12305
Donation drop-off hours: Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays from 9am-noon.
We thank you in advance for helping this family through this difficult time.
** Please be sure to include the family #3982019 on any donations given to this specific family.**
If you have ever been to the Crisis Intervention Center, there’s a good chance you have had some interaction with this woman. Beth started volunteering about two years ago. A few months later, she was hired by the organization. She moved up quickly and is now responsible for every donation and volunteer that comes in, and that goes out of the building. She also interviews guests (clients), gives presentations and brings absolute joy to those around her. There isn’t a lot she doesn’t do, so we just introduce her as “Beth”, as though it is an all encompassing title. If you have ever dropped off a donation or received aid from the organization, there is a good chance that this remarkable individual had a hand in the process.
Beth is one person responsible for accepting, inspecting, sorting and distributing aid for ~3,000 children in crisis per year. She does a great job at handling the great magnitude of responsibilities she has and always does so with a smile.
If you want to help change the lives of children in crisis, give Beth a call at (518)630-5143. Volunteer shifts are available every Monday-Wednesday, Friday and Saturday from 9am-11am, 9am-1pm and 10:30am-1pm. You can also email her at info@tomvo.org
Also, when you see her, please don’t forget to tell her what a great job she’s doing.