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
Follow Us on Facebook.
URGENT
We have a case involving a pregnant mother and three children. The family had been living in an enclosed porch for five months and just recently obtained permanent housing. Mom works part-time and is trying VERY hard, but she is in need of many items in order for Child Protective Services to be able to close her case.
Case # 1506F
Child 1: 8-year-old boy
Shirts: boys large
Pants: 10 boys
Shoes: 3.5/4
Child 2: 6-year-old boy
Shirts: boys small
Pants: 7/8
Shoes: 1
Child 3: 3-year-old boy
Shirts: 3T
Pants: 3T
Shoes: 10c
Undergarments: 3T pull-ups
Child 4: (unborn boy)
Shirts: newborn
Pants: newborn
Notes: Family list everything during the transition. Children all need clothing, shoes, undergarments and socks. Family is in urgent need of mattresses, bedding, towels, personal hygiene products (e.g. shampoo, soap, deodorant, toilet paper, etc.) food and a stroller.
We have the ability to purchase many of the items needed to close this case at a fraction of retail prices. Please donate today so we can keep these children together with their non-abusive mom and out of the foster care system.
We have a request from one of the children we serve. “Please lock up your dogs”. The nine-year-old boy recently transitioned to his grandmothers house. Since this stellar nine-year-old human being is on Facebook, we will just say that Dad had anger issues that had NOTHING to do with ANYTHING this young boy had done.
This awesome individual found our CEO on Facebook (they are on a first-name basis) and contacted her stating that the Easter Bunny hadn’t come. Our CEO contacted Grandma and explained that there had been reports of “a neighborhood dog scaring the Easter Bunny away”. The young boy now has his easter basket, as do a few other amazing children who have intimidating dogs in their neighborhood.
If you have left over Easter supplies, are willing to purchase marked down items in stores, OR, if you manage a store and are willing to donate unsold merchandise, we would be glad to pass them on to children who have been affected by abuse and/or neglect, who happen to live in neighborhoods with dogs.
Things of My Very Own, Inc.
249 Green Street
Schenectady, NY 12305
Donation drop-off hours: Mon, Wed, Fri & Sat 9am-noon
We thank you in advance for your support and remind you that even big bunnies are scared of some dogs.
The police found a four-year-old girl with bruises on her arms. The little girl had been playing with one of her dolls while the police were looking for her mom. Mom was gone. It was just shortly after that I met this little girl and her aunt at our center. I welcomed them into my office to begin their interview for services.
When we sat down, the Aunt began to unfold the layers of her niece’s story. I could see the worry and anger in her eyes as she described to me how her niece was found. I glanced over at the little girl. She was gleefully wiggling her fingers through the small orbeez in our sensory table. She seemed happy and full of wonder. One would never think she had faced something so terrible. The aunt explained how she was “praying to hold on to this girl”. She asked for just a few outfits for her niece, a modest request to help them through this critical period.
Things of My Very Own provided more than just clothing. We also supplied the little girl with bedding, school supplies, and a full food package for both of them. For this family, receiving these items was not only an answered prayer, but it gave hope when the little they had was dwindling. It provided an opportunity in the midst of unfortunate circumstances to care for a child who just needed someone to love her.
The little four-year-old girl remains in the safety of her aunts care thanks to the donations that each of you have made through our Facebook page and our website. The amount you gave may not have have seemed like a lot to you at the time, but to this family, it meant everything. Thank you.
Faith P.
Family Services Specialist
Family# 305P19.
4-year-old girl
Shirts: 5T
Pants: 5T
Shoes: 10c
Notes: Child is in need of size 5T pull-ups and would benefit from additional clothing, toys (must be new), sensory toys/items and food.
We have a very sweet woman currently sitting with us, with tears pouring from her eyes. She is a mother of two who recently took custody of young granddaughter. Last night, the family home was burglarized. Not only did the perpetrators take televisions, they also took the families clothing, air mattresses and the food out of the refrigerator. "They violated my house". Needless to say, she and the children are completely devastated. This is a woman who just spared her granddaughter a foster care placement and now, everything that she, her children and her granddaughter owned, is now gone.
This family must have basic necessities for the family to remain intact.
Please consider making a monetary donation to support this families immediate needs. The family currently has nothing, and is in desperate need of clothing, bedding, mattresses and food.
If you prefer to purchase items or donate items that you have on-hand, the care information is listed below.
Case #2282019
Child 1: 10-year-old girl
Shirt Size: 16 girls
Pants Size: 16 girls
Shoe Size: 6 woman's
Undergarments: 16 girls
Notes: Needs feminine hygiene products (pads preferred but grandmother states they will take anything).
Child 2: 12-year-old girl
Shirt Size: 18 girls
Pants Size: 18 girls or women's 4
Shoe Size: 7 woman's
Undergarments: 18 girls
Notes: Needs feminine hygiene products (pads preferred but grandmother states they will take anything).
Child 3: 1-year-old girl
Shirt Size: 4T
Pants Size: 4T
Shoe Size: 6c
Undergarments: diapers size 5/6
Notes: Pack 'n play is desperately needed.
Donations may be mailed to:
Things of My Very Own, Inc.
249 Green Street
Schenectady, NY 12305
Donations may also be brought to the Crisis Intervention Center on Monday's, Wednesday's, Friday's and Saturday's from 9am-noon.