Hope for our Children calls for donations of ‘care backpacks’ for kids being removed from home

Being removed from home or transitioning to new care arrangements can be a traumatic experience for young children. Here’s an easy way to help them feel more comfortable.

It’s a small gesture, but it can make a world of a difference for a child who is being removed from their home.

For five years, Toowoomba child safety advocacy group Hope for our Children has been providing care backpacks to kids who are facing transition or removal from their homes.

Hope for our Children backpack co-ordinator Melissa Awde.

But a recent influx in requests for backpacks means the organisation is now calling for donations to keep up with demand.

HFOC director Nadine Wright said the program came about after a member of the community witnessed children who had been removed from their homes with a black plastic garbage bag full of their belongings.

“We think the message it sends to kids when they get a garbage bag given to them during their removal or transition is really unhealthy and unproductive to their recovery,” Mrs Wright said.

HFOC welcomes any and all donations of backpacks and other items like hygiene products, underwear, socks, PJ’s, etc, as well as monetary donations.

Donations can be dropped off at 10 Neil St, Toowoomba City or you can phone [phone].

For the full list of items that go in a backpack, head to https://hopeforourchildren.com.au/backpack-drive/