Helping children have a little dignity
Fishing For Fosters
Suitcases for New Beginnings has scheduled visit to Shepherd of the Hills Fish Hatchery on July 19, 2025, will provide an enriching and educational experience for participants. Everyone will have the opportunity to engage in hands-on activities, including touring the hatchery, observing live animals, feeding fish, and participating in a fishing experience. The event is designed to foster both learning and recreation, with a picnic lunch included to enhance the social aspect of the day. Additionally, we have partnered with Bass Pro and each registered foster, adopted, or kinship child will receive a fishing pole and tackle box, supporting their continued engagement in outdoor activities. This is going to be a day full of fun, learning and memories that will last a lifetime and you do not want to miss it. Turn in your registration today and join us in July!
Imagine growing up without the love and support of family to guide you through life. That’s the reality for over 442,000 children in foster care in the US and over 9 million kids worldwide. Kids who, through no fault of their own, have found themselves in a system that tries as it might often fall short.
Kids who have had opportunities and a shot at a real future are taken away from them by the actions of others.
Kids need a chance at finding happiness and the love of family.
Suitcases for New Beginnings is a charity dedicated to giving duffle bags to every child entering the foster care system.
MOST ARE GIVEN A TRASH BAG TO CARRY THEIR BELONGINGS.
Children and teens enter foster care through no fault of their own because they have been abused, neglected, or abandoned and are unable to continue living safely with their families. Children have been neglected and often feel like they don’t matter. Some do not own a toothbrush and have never worn a new pair of pajamas.
Unfortunately, Social Services does not have the financial means to purchase suitcases to pack a child’s belongings before being brought to a foster home. Social Services must use trash bags if they do not have donated duffle bags. It is horrific enough that a child has been abused or neglected, but then to have all of their belongings placed into a trash bag, which places a feeling of worthlessness on the child. It makes them feel like garbage.
Your donations go to purchase duffle and diaper bags and everything needed to put in the suitcase.
Suitcases for New Beginnings gives children entering foster care a sense of dignity and hope. They are packed with a stuffed animal to hug, a blanket, a toothbrush, soap, and other personal care items; receiving a duffle bag tells a child you matter.
Cheryl’s Story
I have dedicated myself to this project because I know how being placed in a foster home feels. Walking in a strange place with people you don’t know and carrying some personal items in a trash bag is one of the scariest things that could happen to a child. It also makes you feel unwanted, unloved, and thrown away like garbage. I have been a foster child, a high school graduate, a wife, a mom, a college graduate, a school teacher, and now a South West Missouri Casa Supervisor. Just because you are a foster child doesn’t mean you can’t succeed in life.
Contact
Feel free to contact us with any questions.
Email
cheryl@suitcasesfornewbeginnings.org
Phone
(417)337-0372
We are a 501c3 Nonprofit