HOW YOU CAN HELP
Make a Difference spotlights small ways you can make a big difference in the community. If your nonprofit organization has a wish list it would like to share, please contact Meredith Moss: MMoss@coxohio.com
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More than 27,000 young people will age out of the foster care system each year in the United States. The non-profit organization called CHOICES, Inc. offers an independent living program to help foster youth ages 17-21 transition from foster care to becoming successful and confident young adults.
“Our independent living program allows for foster teens to practice living on their own while receiving guidance through an integrated support system,” said Ashley Schiffer, development director for the group. “We primarily furnish the apartment through individual donations, year-round we are picking up furniture and planning cleaning supply drives.
The organization serves 25-30 youth throughout the year, providing them with a fully furnished apartment upon placement.
As you can imagine, it takes lots of furnishings to equip each apartment.
What they need:
- Kitchen table and chairs
- Sofas, loveseats and chairs
- Coffee and end tables
- Dressers and nightstands
- TV's no larger than 27 inches
- Desks
- TV stands
- Book Cases
- Headboards or bed frames (twin-full)
- Full size unused cleaning supplies
Smaller items can be dropped off from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekdays at CHOICES, 1785 Big Hill Road in Kettering. To arrange furniture pick up please contact Robert Bruce at (937) 264-0084 ext. 125 or rbruce@choicesfostercare.com
“Now is a great time for us to arrange pick ups, many people are spring cleaning and purchasing new furniture with their tax rebate,” says Schiffer.
Other ways to help
There are opportunities to help kids in foster care — from school supply drives and the annual Christmas present drive to hosting a cleaning supply drive. For the group’s lates projects, visit
For more information call (937) 264-0084 ext. 122.
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