Youth Homes Inc. > Get Involved > Needs List

Needs List

Simple gifts begin the healing for children in foster care who have been abused or maltreated, and for families who have been torn apart by economic crisis, job loss, or violence. Your in-kind donation helps YHI reduce operational costs so that we can provide direct care services to strengthen families, prevent child maltreatment, and build a better community for everyone!

Care Kits
Our goal at YHI is provide our children and families with a helping hand up rather than a hand out. "Care Kits" provide much-needed items for our families and children, but also contribute towards personal growth and self-sufficiency. Care Kits can be great and simple projects for youth groups, Sunday School classes, Scouts, or civic groups.

School Supplies: Throughout the year you can help children stay in school. Think of your own children’s school needs and buy one extra for a child in YHI care. Let your own child help you choose—a great way to let kids help kids!

• Pencils, pens, markers, crayons
• Notebooks, folders, binders
• Erasers, glue sticks

Gift Cards: Gift cards can provide YHI children and families with necessities while teaching them to spend and budget wisely.

• A $10 gift card to McDonalds gives a child in foster care a special birthday treat or a reward for getting good grades.
• A $25 to $50 gift card to Target or Wal-Mart will allow a child in YHI care to learn how to budget and select their own clothing and personal care items.
• $100 in bus passes will provide transportation so a young parent can attend school, take their child to child care, or go to back and forth to work.

Baby Items: Help YHI parents give their babies a Right Start in life.

• Cribs, strollers (must not be subject to any recalls)
• Car seats (must be new)
• Diapers, wipes, baby soap/shampoo/lotion, ointment

Food and Beverages
Donations of food and beverages can directly help our families, and also help reduce YHI operating expenses, allowing more funds to go directly to children and families.

Grocery store gift cards: $10, $25, or $50 gift cards to local area grocery stores help teach families how to budget and provide nutritious meals for their families and to give a Right Start to babies and infants.

Snacks and Treats: YHI hosts parent training and support groups throughout the year, and providing snacks and drinks for these events helps create a welcoming and comfortable environment for our children and families. The next time your store offers a BOGO, think about picking up an extra for YHI!

• Drinks (water, soda, juice)
• Cookies, brownies, or other baked goods
• Pretzels, chips, crackers, fruit