I had the wonderful opportunity to work with a local non-profit organization last week. The organization was Pathway, Caring for Children – their vision statement is to provide compassionate care for children and families.
I worked specifically with youth in the Independent Living program. Most of these children have grown up in foster care or have been recently adopted. Of course, when a foster child turns 18, they can no longer be a part of foster care. The Independent Living Program strives to help them prepare for life beyond foster care. The kids are taught to cook, clean, balance a checkbook – things like that. Pathway contacted me to help raise funds for their Creative Employment group. I suggested a fundraiser so that we could get some stampin’ supplies for them. They had hoped to get enough to start a card making business. And thankfully, we were able to do that and more! I also wanted to give the kids a chance to have a leadership role in the event.
I met with the kids last week and taught them how to stamp. What fun! Most of them had never stamped before – and it was heartwarming to see the magic that happens the first time someone stamps.
At the event, the kids were the teachers – they taught the guests how to re-create the stampin’ projects. They did a fantastic job – And it wasn’t just girls who did the teaching – we actually had more boys than girls participate! They were wonderful – and I told them that I could clearly see some future teachers amongst them!
We were able to raise enough money to provide them with all the supplies they need to create Christmas cards – (and have already gotten an order from Pathway for over 100 cards!) and some extra supplies as well. They are going to be busy!
It was a wonderful experience! I am so thankful to have gotten to know these kids and an truly looking forward to going back and stampin’ with them again soon!
Our local newspaper covered this story – if you want to read more about the fundraiser and Pathway –
Read Article Here
I can’t show the faces of kids for privacy reasons, but here are a few photos that I can share! You can see the kids teaching!



Lots of smiles! It was a wonderful. It was my pleasure and joy to get to spend time with these kids and truly, my heart is full – so proud of them, and so thankful to get to share something that I love so much with them! One boy even said he wanted to someday work for Stampin’ Up! How sweet is that?
Hope you all have a great day and as always, thanks for visiting!
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