Instability can be a way of life for foster children. Often moving from one home to another with nothing but the clothes on their backs--or maybe a trash bag to hold a few personal items--these kids face frequent uncertainty on top of the other challenges that can come with being in foster care. That's why Comfort Cases provides foster children throughout the region with a duffel bag or backpack filled with pajamas, a soft blanket, toiletries, a stuffed animal, and more that youth can keep and call their own. Having a comfort case allows them to use their own items to shower, sleep in, and feel secure regardless of where they are. Plus, the case itself can be used to carry personal items that have personal meaning.

Comfort Cases' work on behalf of kids in need is carried out almost entirely by volunteers, who do everything from sorting and organizing inventory to making deliveries to partner social service agencies. Comfort Cases welcomes individuals as well as families, businesses, community organizations, and youth groups to volunteer at its centers in Rockville and Silver Spring. In addition, small groups can host packing parties to assemble comfort cases from start to finish.

Packing activities are appropriate for volunteers of all ages, and are especially popular with mixed-age volunteer groups. Describing the multi-generational packing party held at his synagogue as "fun for everyone," v olunteer David Fishback adds that  it also " gave our children the opportunity to help other children for whom life has presented challenges. It is important for adults to not only talk to their children about our shared community responsibilities, but to engage in social action projects with them. Comfort Cases provides an opportunity for this type of family engagement."

Comfort Cases is currently undergoing a national expansion, and is therefore looking for additional volunteers to help with day-to-day tasks like responding to email inquiries and managing social media accounts. The organization is also looking for regular volunteers who are interested in being packing party ambassadors, who coordinate with interested groups, oversee packing parties at the center, and provide guidance to supporters who wish to hold packing parties off-site. In addition, Comfort Cases is in need of additional shift supervisors to oversee volunteers at its local centers. Finally, the organization is seeking adult drivers with good driving records to make deliveries to social service agencies throughout the region during the work week. This is a great opportunity for retirees who are looking for regular volunteer engagement!

To learn more about volunteering with Comfort Cases, email Jane Phillips, volunteer coordinator. Or visit the Comfort Cases website for more details. 

Learn more about our RSVP volunteers and RSVP volunteer programs in this "Did You Know" video produced by the county. Or check out this list of RSVP partner organizations.