- Kids Matter CASA
- Fostering Hope / Donations
- Volunteer Attorneys
- More Ways to Help
Fostering Hope 
Do you have a special idea for Fostering Hope? Many people in the community have added their skills and talents to the Fostering Hope to make the idea special to them, their family or workplace, their scout troop or school. Whether you have a special connection to teens or infants, we welcome your ideas and talents for Fostering Hope. Here are just a few ways that people in the community made Fostering Hope unique and special. There stories are told through the “thank-yous” that appeared on our website.
Daisy Scouts "Do a Good Turn"
Daisy Scout Troop 3517 is working hard to “do a good turn daily.” Katie, Ellie, Jocelyn, and Carolyn, four Daisy Scouts, recently held a backpack drive at St. Eugene School. The troop collected 19 backpacks, as well as stuffed animals and Beanie Babies for kids in foster and kinship care. These girls are learning the value of service to their community at a young age, and we are tremendously grateful. Thank you, Daisies, for keeping “our kids” in your hearts!
Happy 2nd Birthday, Dalton!
For little Dalton’s 2nd birthday, his family and friends came together to give back to their community. Dalton and his family wanted to make his special day about something bigger than themselves, so they asked friends and family to bring bags and supplies to put together Fostering Hope bags for kids in foster and kinship care in Milwaukee County. Their goal was to make bags for ten kids, but the overwhelming response for help brought in enough supplies to make Fostering Hope bags for thirty kids! All of these bags are for kids ages 2 or 3 who are entering care or transitioning to a new placement. Thank you, Dalton, for building a better future for kids your age!
Caroline Hall Council at Mount Mary College Cares for "Our Kids"
Members of the Caroline Hall Council at Mount Mary College put together Fostering Hope bags for seventeen infants, children, and teens in foster and kinship care! With donations of stuffed animals, notebooks, coloring books, toys, and hygiene products, just to name a few, the members of the Caroline Hall Council made bags that will ease the transition to a new placement for kids in out-of-home care. Thank you, Mount Mary, for your support of our community’s kids!
Happy 5th Birthday, Olivia!
Little Olivia has shown us what a big heart she has! She donated presents from her 5th birthday party - including dolls, games, toys, and fun activities - to Kids Matter so that kids in foster and kinship care can have something special to call their own. Thank you so much, Olivia, for making your birthday about others!
OB/GYN Residents from the Medical College of Wisconsin Hold Diaper Drive for Kids Matter
OB/GYN Residents from the Medical College of Wisconsin held a diaper drive for babies in foster care. Because the residents work so closely with new mothers, this issue is near and dear to their hearts.
The boxes and boxes of diapers will go to infants in foster and kinship care whose caregivers and families can truly use some extra support. It is amazing how just a few diapers can make such a big difference to a family!
Kids Showing Compassion: Students at Mother of Good Counsel School Give Back through Service-Learning Project
To learn about service to others, Ms. Campbell's fifth grade class at Mother of Good Counsel School did a service-learning project with Kids Matter for Valentines Day. The eleven students in the class were each paired with a child in foster or kinship care to make a special Valentines Day gift box, filled with sweets, treats, and supplies for kids to make their own Valentine's Day crafts.
As part of the project, Ms. Campbell wanted her class to learn more about foster care and Kids Matter. The kids participated in a role-playing activity in which they heard the story, Just for Now, by Kimberly Morris and the staff and volunteers of Child Advocates, Inc. Just for Now is a wonderful resource for explaining foster care to children.
Thank you to Ms. Campbell and her fifth graders for making Valentines Day special for others!
Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. Honors Martin Luther King, Jr. Day with Kids Matter
For members of Alpha Kappa Alpha and CASA, Martin Luther King, Jr. Day is a day of service, remembrance, and celebration.
Dr. Felicia Miller, a Kids Matter CASA volunteer, helped organize the event and invited our kids to attend. Together with a group of Milwaukee high school students from Top Teens of America, the kids participated in an educational activity at the Martin Luther King, Jr. Library, learned about Dr. King’s legacy, and shared their findings with the group. It was an exciting event for everyone!
Thanks to all of the members of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. for their commitment to service and for keeping “our kids” in your hearts.
To learn more about the Upsilon Mu Omega chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha, visit www.akaumo.org.
Happy 6th Birthday, Julianna!
Julianna celebrated her 6th birthday by giving back to kids in her community! She invited friends to a birthday party and asked that instead of bringing birthday presents, they bring pairs of pajamas for children in foster care. Julianna donated all of the pajamas she collected to Kids Matter Inc. so that the pajamas can go to kids who truly need them.
Thank you, Julianna, for making your birthday special for kids in foster care. You are generous beyond your years. Happy Birthday!
A Corporate Merger for Good – RCS Innovations and Local Businesses “Adopt” 200 Abused Youth
RCS Innovations donated 200 Fostering Hope bags—a donation large enough to help every child entering foster care in Milwaukee County for two months! According to Susan Conwell, Executive Director of Kids Matter Inc., the RCS donation is very special because…
The RCS employee leadership team walks in the children’s shoes.
The impact and size of the donation is extraordinary.
Click here to read more about RCS and the Fostering Hope donation.
Slam Dunk: Sam’s Hope and Milwaukee BUCKS Donate 400 Baby Books for Children in Foster Care
Every year, 400 infants and toddlers enter foster care in Milwaukee. That means that 400 infants and toddlers are abused and neglected and are placed in the home of a foster parent or relative caregiver. On December 18th, the Milwaukee BUCKS and Sam's Hope generously donated 400 sets of baby books-enough for each of Milwaukee's most vulnerable children. The BUCKS have a longstanding commitment to promoting literacy in our community, and promoting literacy at an early age is especially important. It all starts with reading to children, which creates a bond that is unsurpassed between children and their caregivers. It progresses to a love of learning, and a sense of accomplishment when a child first reads a book on his or her own. A family who reads together learns together, laughs together, and grows together.
The BUCKS and Sam's Hope donated these 400 baby book sets for children ages 0 to 3 who have been neglected and abused, but who are resiliently thriving thanks to the relatives and caregivers who love and support them. One aspect of the support system for these young children is the new nurses' visitation system at the Bureau of Milwaukee Child Welfare, which brings nurses with great experience right into the homes of the youngest and most vulnerable children in the foster care system. The nurses' visitation system is a new part of the Bureau of Milwaukee Child Welfare's increased effort to focus on early childhood development, and Kids Matter is so happy to partner with the nurses to aid in their tremendous work. Reading is such a crucial part of early childhood development, and an important way that caregivers and children can bond. The efforts of Sam's Hope and the Milwaukee BUCKS will instill a love of learning and a deeper connection to family in "our kids."
Thank you to Sam’s Hope and the Milwaukee BUCKS for your unwavering support!
Claudia Romero - Making Milwaukee Great
Click here to watch CBS Channel 58's profile of local hero Claudia Romero. Claudia is a 20 year old MATC nursing student. Claudia really wanted to make sure that no child was forgotten this holiday season. She and her friends, mostly ages 18 to 20, spent two months collecting more than 400 holiday gifts for foster kids. Claudia is truly "Making Milwaukee Great."
Five-Year-Old Reed Reaches Out to Kids in Foster Care
What do most five-year old boys seem to want for their birthdays? Exciting toys, action figures, games, and a party, of course! Five-year-olds are not expected to be selfless and humble about what they want. Not ordinarily…
Reed is no ordinary five-year-old. To celebrate his fifth birthday, Reed’s friends and family gave him games, puzzles, toys, books, and other fantastically fun gifts—all of which Reed decided to give to kids in need. Some kids do not get the chance to celebrate their birthdays with a party and presents, but Reed’s kindness will show them that someone cares.
Thank you, Reed, for helping to build a better future for kids. You are generous and thoughtful beyond your years. Happy Birthday from all of us at Kids Matter!
Caryl Anne Halfwassen Named "Hero of the Week" by Shepherd Express
Caryl Anne Halfwassen is a woman with a mission: to help Milwaukee’s most vulnerable children. After reading about the abuse and neglect of local foster children, Caryl Anne wanted to do something positive to make a concrete difference in kids’ lives. In October, Caryl Anne donated 140 snowsuits for foster infants and toddlers. She has also donated 1200 sleepsacks, onesies, baby outfits, and blankets over the past year so that every baby entering foster care in Milwaukee can be safe and warm.
“I came from a much smaller community in central Illinois three years ago, and I was truly shocked at the depth of the issues confronting children, their families, caregivers and support agencies in Milwaukee. It is not just the children who receive the donations that I think about. I also want to assist the caregivers, caseworkers, and medical staff. This is one less thing to worry about.”
Caryl Anne is determined to see that foster infants are safe and warm, and that struggling families can focus on loving and bonding with their babies rather than worrying about providing for their most basic needs.
Caryl Anne also believes in helping kids help other kids. In October, older local foster youth finished blankets that were provided to foster babies. Caryl Anne donated the material. She is a local hero and a passionate volunteer who has found a way to make a difference on a budget.
“I have been supported in this endeavor by my husband who loves the thought of finding warm donations for little people who cannot care for themselves. We also like the idea that the snowsuits will likely be used by four or five other youngsters in the community before they are too worn to be useful What other donation can one make that keeps on giving like that?”
Did you know that...
1. Children between birth and age 3 have the highest rates of victimization.
2. Infants and toddlers comprise almost one-third of all children who are abused or neglected and are the largest single group of children entering foster care.
3. Infants and toddlers removed from their parents' care often move three or more times in their first months in foster care.
4. Once they have been removed from their homes and placed in foster care, infants and toddlers are more likely than older children to be abused and neglected and to stay in foster care longer. (from Zero to Three's "Early Experiences Matter Policy Guide," found on the Zero to Three website)Click here to learn more about how to help our community's children in foster care.
Strike, Spare, Score!
Bowling Event with Congregation Shalom a Great SuccessThanks to the generosity of Congregation Shalom, many children in foster and kinship care recently enjoyed an afternoon of bowling, crafts, and lots of fun at the AMF Bowling Center. Congregation Shalom sponsored this event in celebration of Mitzvah Day, which is a day of community service and good deeds. Kids Matter is honored and grateful that Congregation Shalom chose to serve our kids and families on Mitzvah Day.
Amid the cheering and high-fives in every lane as kids, caretakers, and volunteers tried to score their best, one caretaker reflected on how glad she was to attend the event with her granddaughter. “This is a great idea,” she said. “My granddaughter is having so much fun bowling and playing with other kids her age. They’re getting along so well, and they just met today!”
This year’s event was a fabulous success. We would like to thank Lauri Streeck for coordinating this event, the members of Congregation Shalom, all of our volunteers, the staff at the AMF Bowling Center, and everyone who helped make it happen. Thanks for keeping “our kids” in your hearts!
Maggie Does it Again! Birthdays often seem to revolve around receiving gifts, but that was not the case for Maggie’s recent birthday celebration. For the second year in a row, Maggie made her own birthday about something bigger than herself: she made it about others. She received gifts of backpacks, crayons, notebooks, puzzles, and numerous other items, all of which she donated to Kids Matter. Her generosity will enable many children to go back to school with the supplies they need. Maggie is only seven years old, but people of all ages can learn from and respect her kindness. Thank you, Maggie, and Happy 7th Birthday!
Katie S. is a 10 year old who is determined to make the world a softer, friendlier place for foster children. Her mom Diane has helped her do just that! Katie and Diane brought in Katie’s collection of over 60 stuffed animals to give to children entering foster care. As you can see, some of these fluffy friends are almost as big as Katie!
Kids Matter is grateful to Katie for her sharing spirit. We will find good homes with foster children for all of Katie’s cuddly critters!
How do you teach children about serving others? For the Brookfield Lutheran Church, it was as simple as giving back. Brookfield Lutheran
Church’s Sunday school class held a coloring and activity book drive. The class learned about what they could do to help other children. The books were donated to Children’s Court, where they will be given to children who attend court.
“Our goal was to help children in need and involve our families and children at our church in the act of serving others,” Carrie Tang said. Carrie (right in the picture) and her husband Andrew (left) presented the items to Victim Witness Coordinator Ruth Winters (center) at Children’s Court.
Going to court can be a frightening experience for children. Thanks to these donations, children will have something to take their mind off the uncertainty of waiting.
Thank you MacDowell Kindergarteners
One by one, the children walked up to the tables that held the school supplies. They carefully looked over the items, making sure they picked out the best one. They slipped the items into the bag, holding onto one strap as the bag drooped from the weight of the donations. After filling their bag with one of each item, they walked over to the Kids Matter staff and quietly said, “Here you go.”
This was the scene in Ms. Sonya Yusef’s kindergarten class at MacDowell Montessori School, where the boys and girls had been collecting schoolsupplies and making art projects to donate to children in foster care.
Ms. Yusef worked in Africa for over then years. In class, the children learned about life in an orphanage in Africa and how that compares with foster care here. The students learned that the Fostering Hope project was inspired by some young foster children who attended MacDowell when they were in kindergarten.
These inspiring MacDowell students are already young global citizens, already making the world a bit kinder for children.
Thanks Ms. Yusef and the MacDowell team.
Making Milwaukee a Better Community for Youth
As the school year comes to a close, school supplies are the last thing on most students’ minds. However, Ms. Heather Gilvary-Hamad and her class at Salam Middle School realized they had an opportunity to help youth in foster care who need school supplies throughout the year as they switch placements and often switch schools throughout the year. The middle school students collected school supplies, coloring books and crayons that will become part of the fostering hope bags Kids Matter gives to children entering foster care.The students of Salam Middle School are a great example of young people making Milwaukee a better community for youth. Thanks, Salam student leaders!
Thank you to the South Oak Creek Power Plant for the donation of toys, books, school supplies and items of clothing for foster children! Your work powers our community and your kindness will power children’s lives.
Thanks Girl Scout Troop #1076! At times, it only takes one suggestion to see a group take action. When Girl Scout Troop #1076 heard about foster children in need of winter clothes, they decided to turn one of their meetings into a clothing drive. They collected hats, gloves, sweatshirts and blankets, and donated them to Kids Matter so that foster children could have warm clothes this winter.Kids Matter thanks the girls for their generous donation of clothes. One of the goals of the Girls Scouts is to try to make the world a better place. With these donations, this troop is working towards fulfilling that goal and making this winter a little warmer for Milwaukee foster children.
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
Little Maggie makes a big difference: Maggie just celebrated her sixth birthday. She held a big birthday bash with her friends and family. She received gifts of folders, backpacks, toothbrushes and crayons. Grandma even made sure to bring the socks and underwear. At the end of the day, Maggie had lots of backpacks, toothbrushes, and crayons, but they weren’t for her. Maggie and her friends had a great party and donated the supplies to foster children, ensuring those kids had the supplies they need when the school bell rings. Thanks, Maggie, and Happy 6th Birthday from all of us at Kids Matter.
Caryl gives meaning to back to school shopping: See a bargain. Buy that bargain. Donate that bargain. That has been Caryl’s philosophy when it comes to helping foster and kinship care families in Milwaukee. Caryl, who in the past has given a carload of donations for kids, has been scouring local stores for school supply. Caryl’s shopping prowess and dedication to kids helped 50 foster children make the grade this year.
Sandra, Johnson Controls and the African American Affinity Network team up for kids: Johnson Controls, with the help of the African American Affinity Network, is on the hunt for school supplies. Johnson Controls is holding a school supply drive for foster and kinship care children. The drive will help foster care children have the school supplies when they go back to class, is headed by Sandra from Johnson Controls.
Special Thanks to Trevor and Wyatt
It is a tradition to bring gifts to a wedding for the couple, but it is very rare that the couple donates all of the gifts to a non-profit agency! That is exactly what Trevor and Wyatt did. In honor of the foster child they are adopting, Trevor and Wyatt requested that their wedding guests bring gifts for newborn and premature babies in foster care. For weeks after the wedding, the couple was still dropping off loads of Pampers, baby blankets, boppies, swings and car-seats, not to mention gift cards and cash donations.
Many children enter foster care without any belongings or necessary care items; foster babies do not have baby showers. Trevor and Wyatt’s gift means a special welcome home for foster infants. Kids Matter Inc. is truly honored to be the recipient of such a generous donation that will make a significant impact in the lives of foster parents. Thank you, Trevor and Wyatt, for helping.
Special Thanks to Callie
Callie, a Kettle Moraine High School senior, decided she wanted to change the world "one child at a
time." What better way than letting foster children know that people in the community care about them?
Callie came up with the idea of giving foster children their very own stuffed animal puppy to hold and to love when they enter foster care. Callie created the first ever Kids Matter Puppy Drive Project. She raised money through bake sales and collected stuffed animal puppies at “dog kennels” that she placed throughout the school. The stuffed animal puppies will go to children just entering foster care, a time when they can feel quite alone. Thank you Callie and all who donated to the Kids Matter Puppy Drive Project.
Special Thanks to Zack F
It’s not often that someone gives you $100 and tells you to go out and make an impact on the world. However, that’s what happened to Zack, a stay-at-home-Dad , who was given the challenge by an anonymous donor. Zack has been given $100/week with the goal of making the donations have as big an impact as possible. Through this project, Zack has been finding ways to help kids in need.
When the project started, Zack reached out to his friends through Facebook looking for ideas. One friend suggested Kids Matter Inc. as a way to help babies in foster care. As a Dad, Zack understands the importance of keeping babies safe. To stretch the money he was given, Zack asked his friends to donate diaper bags, and, with the help of his wife and his two young sons, stuffed 14 diaper bags with diapers, wipes, and baby books for infants in foster care.
Zack says, “I like to focus my energy on children. They bring a positivity that you don’t see in adults these days.” He is working to instill these values into his own children, and encourages others to be conscious of the needs of others. As advice to others looking to help those in need, Zack says, “Keep your eyes and ears open, and you’ll see plenty of possibilities.”
Zack has also volunteered at a soup kitchen where he, with the funding from the anonymous donor, gave out hygiene kits. He recalls how he eventually began to eat with the people he was serving after some initial apprehension and the relationships he created really impacted him. As he says, “We’re all the same—we all need to eat—so let’s share this meal together.”
Thanks, Zack, for your dedication to those in need in the community. We wish you luck as you continue your journey of helping others!