Better Beginnings

Children are removed from their homes and placed into the foster care system as a result of some form of abuse or neglect. Sadly their belongings are often collected in a trash bag.

A child being removed from his or her home deserves the dignity of taking their belongings in a bag of their own. To accomplish this, Schneider Development established an annual event to organize the community to collect and donate new or gently used duffel bags containing toiletries like shampoo, tooth paste, tooth brush, and soap. This program was originally established in 1998 with the Division of Youth and Family Services in NJ and has helped hundreds of children in both New Jersey and Virginia.

“Helping local children in crisis is so important.” said Jim Schneider. “This program gives them a little dignity, and hopefully makes a bad situation a bit less traumatic. I’m hopeful that the community will respond again every year.” he added.

Schneider Development has plans underway to expand this program to the Norfolk area.