Statements
Mission
My Bag My Story exists to improve the lives of children in foster care by elevating their sense of dignity and self-worth. We provide children in foster care with a personal, high-quality, durable duffle bag to transport their belongings. Our bags are a vehicle to show love and advocate for children in foster care by spreading awareness about the needs of the foster care system.
Every dollar donated goes directly to getting a bag into the hands of a foster child in need.
A donation of $25 = 1 bag donated
A donation of $100 = 4 bags donated
A donation of $500 = 20 bags donated
Background
My Bag My Story was formed to address the trauma children experience when entering the foster care system, changing foster families, and aging out of foster care. One aspect of this has been that when these children are taken into state custody and often when transported to change their foster families, they carry everything they own in plastic trash bags. Our research has included conversations with senior state officials, TN Department of Children Services (DCS) officers and interviews with foster children. We found that when these children are emotionally supported by being given something seemingly insignificant as a new bag, they are impacted positively in life changing ways because their sense of self-worth is supported and promoted at these critical moments. We are working on foster care awareness, education and best ways to support foster care families.
Impact
In our first year, 2019, we delivered 192 bags to children in foster care, established an online retail presence to help fund operations, and established working relationships with the Tennessee Department of Children Services and many of their agencies.
In 2021, we engaged with 21foster care agencies in Middle Tennessee and distributed 800 bags to children in foster care via these agencies. Additionally, we created awareness and educated the community about best ways to support foster care families through our social media platforms (Facebook, Instagram, and our website), as well as through our pop up shops around the city.
In 2022, we hope to engage community partners such as churches and businesses to support our work to give 1,000+ bags to children in foster care.
Needs
My Bag My Story has been successful in its operations and has consistently grown each year. The net income from retail sales has funded our bag donation program and modest operations. We desire to fund program expansion throughout Tennessee and then to other states. Our research has shown that many state agencies responsible for foster care are under funded and although they acknowledge the effectiveness of the bags, they are unable to mirror our activity with their tight budgets. Like so many non-profits, funding is our greatest need. Donations would be used to fund program expansion at a much faster rate than we would be able to accomplish with sales revenue alone, as well as provide us more opportunities to educate communities about foster care needs.
CEO Statement
In 2015, my husband and I decided to become foster parents. I, myself am adopted, and I have three children, two of whom are adopted. Each child that came to our door carried their belongings in a plastic trash bag or a grocery bag. I could not believe it. I started asking other foster parents about whether or not this had happened to them, almost all replying, "Yes, it is normal." That is not normal. No child should have to carry their only, few belongings in a garbage bag from home to home. I set out to find a way to change that. In 2019, My Bag My Story was founded. Over 1,700 bags have been distributed to children in foster care in Middle TN, and, more importantly, 1,000+ children have been told through our bags, "You are worthy, you matter, you are important."
Board Chair Statement
In 2019, we formed a non profit organization, received IRS approval as a 501(c)3, established a retail presence as a source of funding so we would not have to rely totally on donations, began distributing bags to children in foster care and ended the year with a positive net cash flow from our sales and with sufficient cash to build operations. It was a very busy and encouraging year. Before I agreed to serve as Board Chair, I had to be convinced that giving bags to children in foster care had enough therapeutic value to be worth the effort and expense. After meeting with foster care case workers and mental health professionals I was completely convinced. I would have never imagined that something as simple as a new bag could so positively impact a child's self image and literally change their mental wellness and the trajectory of their life. Like so many of the societal problems that surround us I was oblivious of the harsh reality of the trauma in a child's life when he or she is taken into foster care. I am happy to put a band aid on the immediate hurt but we also have the opportunity to do so much more in support of children in foster care and their families.
Service Categories |
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| Primary Category: | Human Services - Foster Care |
| Secondary Category: | Youth Development - Alliances & Advocacy |
| Tertiary Category: | Youth Development - |
Areas Served
We partner with 21 different foster care agencies across Middle Tennessee, with hopes to expand to more of TN in 2023.
| TN |
