December 10, 2012

Classified Senate seeks holiday help from faculty, staff and students

This year, the Classified Senate has decided to help Wichita teens who have grown up in foster care and are about to age out of the system. These teens are part of an independent living program with Youthville, a child welfare agency. The program works with children ages 16 and older to help facilitate a successful transition into adulthood by serving as a resource and teaching necessary independent living skills.

While in this program, the teens live on their own, attending school and/or work. Their social worker provides guidance and a person to talk to, but these children are strictly on their own.

Youthville rents a few apartments for teens to stay in during their transition out of the system. This is not a cheap or easy thing to do, and Youthville has high hopes of growing the program. If the teens do well, Youthville provides them with a few household items to help start up their own place after they leave. This is why there is a high need for household items to send with the teens and refurnish the apartments.

We can help. We would like to give those living in the apartments a real Christmas day with a nice meal, presents under the tree, and maybe some fun activities like going to a movie. For this, we will take cash donations.

In addition, we would like to take a collection of items or cash to help Youthville keep this program going. We will set up boxes in key places on campus and money or gift cards will be collected by Renea Goforth at 978-6634, Sherry Alexander at 978-6793 and Cecilia Hudson at 978-6093 of the Classified Senate.

Also, if you have any large items, you may contact Renea, and she will be happy to pick them up. Contact her at 978-6634 or renea.goforth@wichita.edu.

Here is a list of supplies needed on an ongoing basis:

- Sheet sets (twin and full)
- Bath towels
- Washcloths
- Kitchen towels
- Dishcloths
- Dish sets (four-to-eight place settings)
- Silverware
- Mixing bowls
- Baking dishes
- Pots and pans
- Trash bags
- Cleaning supplies
- Laundry soap
- Dryer sheets
- Brooms
- Laundry baskets
- Rubbermaid tubs
- AA, AAA, C,D, batteries
- Dressers
- Beds -- frames and mattress
- Microwaves
- Gift Cards to Wal-Mart, Target, Quick Trip

They could also use the following personal items:

- Shampoo
- Conditioner
- Deodorant
- Body wash
- Disposable razors
- Shave cream
- Female hygiene items
- Toothbrush
- Toothpaste
- Body lotion