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
Give a Gift of Love
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 Reach Our Fundraising Goal!
Our 2019 Goal: $350,000
When a child leaves an abusive situation the transition is often sudden and unexpected. It is not uncommon for children to leave an abusive situation wearing nothing more than a sheet. The trauma that can come from being removed from your family while nearly nude and then placed in the care of strangers has been described by many as being more traumatizing than the abuse itself. Legally a child must have their own bed, warm blankets, clothing, hygiene products and an adequate supply of food to remain with their non-abusive family members and out of the foster care system.
Please help us to ensure that these children are given everything they need from the first moment on. Help us to ensure that these children know that what they have endured, does not define who they grow up to be.
The Founder’s Story
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We have a first-time mother who is eight-months pregnant currently in our waiting room. She is very nervous about having her first baby. The father of her child passed away a couple of months ago, throwing her into a major depression that resulted in her becoming homeless. "I know once she's born, I am going to look at her and see him".
We are pulling together everything we have right now but she is still in need of a crib-sized mattress and we have none in stock. If anyone has one at home, or is willing to purchase one for her, we would greatly appreciate it. She is currently sitting in our waiting room in hopes that someone can help. This mother is going to need a lot of help in the months ahead.The family number is 31-2019. We thank you in advance for your support.
This is our entire inventory of tampons and this box that came in today, is already on its way out the door. PLEASE help us to help these families by donating toward this purchase.
Things of My Very Own, Inc. has the ability to purchase feminine hygiene products at a fraction of retail prices. Please make a donation to help these families and we’ll do the shopping for you.
Alternatively, you can order using this link and the items will be shipped directly to us. www.amazon.com/gp/registry/wishlist/1MZILKZFBBTOK
Donations may be dropped of on Monday’s, Wednesday’s, Friday’s and Saturday’s from 9am-noon.
As the new year came around I met a father in his thirties. We sat down and as I looked over his referral, he began to tell me about his goals for this year. As a native to Trinidad, he told me he grew up where income was very low. His family worked off the land. Although he loved his country, as soon as he was old enough, he left home and came to the states to look for a job. When he arrived in the US he did as much as possible to earn money so he could get an education, with the ambition to open his own mechanic shop. “I learned from the jobs and the experiences and they helped me succeed.” He is closer than ever to starting up his shop, His dream is right out of reach, as he found that he has to pay some very large costs first. With passion and fire in his eyes this single father of four declared his dedication to his family.
Today, he makes very low income and takes care of his four children. He dreams and works for their success, wanting to give them what he never had. Every day he reminds them to do the same as he does, and to never give up, even when the world thinks they can’t do it. By asking for help he knew what others would think of him. Still, he knew this was a temporary challenge for long-term success.
Often those in poverty are assumed to be, because of wrong choices the person made. Many of the families we service who are living below the poverty line are there because of economic hardship/emergency transition/or have lacked the opportunities some have had to make enough income for their family. Some times poverty can be defined as having the ability but lacking the opportunity.
Things of My Very Own, Inc. provided services to this family so that this father of four could continue to pour into his children the work ethic and values he was raised with. To remind them to rise above the stigma of society and be brave enough to challenge the thoughts of others through the actions of their character.
Sincerely,
Faith Pangburn
Family Services Worker
Things of My Very Own Urgent Needs
Women’s Underwear (all sizes; must be new) Sizes 6 and up-100% depleted
Men’s Boxer Shorts (all sizes; must be new)-100% depleted
Men’s Jeans (32-38 waist)-100% depleted
Winter Coats (sizes large and up)-100% depleted
Juice Boxes (for children waiting to be served)
School-Type Snacks (for children waiting to be served)
Bath Towels
Laundry Detergent & Fabric Softener
Donations may be dropped off at the Crisis Intervention Center located at 249 Green Street in Schenectady Monday’s, Wednesday’s, Friday’s and Saturday’s from 9am-noon. Due to the severity of the situations the children we work with face and for their safety, we can not have members of the general public near the building at other times.
We thank you in advance for your support.
A few months ago, a mother we worked with previously, checked herself into a rehabilitation unit so she could stop using heroin. She successfully completed her program and has been doing a fantastic job of getting her life back on track.
The mother came into the center this weekend and picked up aid for her children. Tomorrow she plans to voluntarily admit herself back into a rehabilitation program to get off methadone. She has a plan and wanted to be sure that her children will have everything they will need while she is in treatment.
To this very strong and determined mother: You’ve got this!