Foster Hope Ohio Valley Ready to Take Next Step
At a Kiwanis meeting in May, Amanda Hession shared information about her nonprofit organization, Foster Hope Ohio Valley. The mission of the organization is to provide a backpack filled with comfort and essential items to assist children through the transition into foster or kinship care. The next step for Foster Hope OV is to open a Foster Hope Closet.
In 2019, Hession conducted a small fundraiser to gather backpacks for kids entering foster care in Belmont County. When the response was so positive, Hession researched foster care and why a simple backpack would be a big deal for these children.
Typically, children enter into foster care with absolutely nothing. If they are lucky, they may get a brief amount of time to gather what they want from their homes, and the items are placed into a trash bag. “And so that really broke my heart, because as a kid I always had my stuffed animal and a blanket with me no matter where I went,” shared Hession.
Hession contacted her two best friends, Anna Sells and Jessica Mahoney, and asked them if they were willing to help her start Foster Hope, focusing on children in their local communities. According to Hession, “the goal is to ensure that every child entering into foster care feels valued, respected and cared for during one of the most difficult times of their lives.”
The provided backpacks are packed to the brim with age- and gender-specific items. Each child, regardless of age, gets a blanket. For example, a backpack for a baby would contain diapers, wipes, a blanket, stuffed animals, little toys, diaper rash cream and bottles. The idea is that a social worker can easily identify an appropriate backpack for the child in need.
Currently, Foster Hope Ohio Valley serves fifteen counties. In Ohio, the served counties are Belmont, Monroe, Noble, Harrison, Jefferson, Muskingum, Guernsey, Tuscarawas and Caroll. In West Virginia, the counties include Ohio, Brooke, Hancock, Marshall, Wetzel and Tyler. There are approximately 1,000 foster children in the service area at any given time. Hession stated that the organization focuses on statistics so each county’s unique needs are met.
The next step for Foster Hope Ohio Valley is to create a “retail experience” for children at a Foster Hope Closet. Children from newborn to 18 years old would pick out clothing and shoes for themselves. Though all items are free, the children would feel like they are shopping, preserving the dignity of the children.
Hession expressed that Foster Hope Ohio Valley has grown beyond what she and her friends can handle. The organization is looking for individuals interested in assisting with fundraising, grants, social media and delivering backpacks. A meeting is scheduled for May 29 at 6 pm in the Heritage Early Learning Center, 821 E. Main Street, Barnesville. There is also a Zoom virtual option for the meeting.
Foster Hope Ohio Valley is always in need of various-sized blankets and baby items. Monetary donations are also welcome. Hession would like to raise $30,000 to see her Foster Hope Closet become a reality. Contact the organization at fosterhopeov@gmail.com or 740-296-9097.
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