East River Foster Parent Network
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The East River Foster Parent Network is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization. The East River Foster Parent Network’s mission is to empower and support foster parents so they can in turn provide a safe and caring environment giving each child and adolescent the opportunity to thrive.
The East River Foster Parent Network works to provide the following services for children in foster care:
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Activity reimbursement scholarships
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Camp reimbursement scholarships
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Clothing
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Personal hygiene items
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Beds
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Dressers
While continuing to provide these ongoing services, the association has identified some important and unmet needs. As the number of children in foster care continues to climb, we believe this trend can be reversed. By identifying barriers to success, we believe we can take a preventative approach to ending the generational cycle of abuse and neglect among families in our community.
what are we crafting?
Item Requested | Craft Type | Quantity Requested | Quantity Still Needed |
|---|---|---|---|
Bags | Sew | 150 | 145 |
Pillowcases | Sew | 150 | 91 |
Warm Winter Hats | Sew/Knit/Crochet | 150 | 149 |
Gloves/Mittens | Sew/Knit/Crochet | 150 | 145 |
Blankets | Sew | 50 | 0 |
project must-knows
We will be helping East River Foster Parent Network with several items for their Welcome Bags. In each welcome bag they put a fresh pair of pjs, a new blanket, underwear a pillowcases and a hygiene kit. They provide these to each child entering foster care. Please read the information for each project we are working on for important details so you construct items that will be helpful to this charity partner.
1) Welcome Tote Bags- These specific Welcome Bags are for two age groups 2yrs to 5 yrs and 5 yrs to 8 yrs. The finished bag should be about 16"x16" in size. We have a great suggested pattern. We would like these to be in FUN fabrics for the kids. So fabrics with licensed prints in popular themes are ideal. Fabrics to avoid: our usual caveats: no drugs, alcohol, weapons or religion, no holiday prints...New Restrictions: Nothing with the words mommy, daddy or family on them. Ensure you read our project overview sheet for details about crafting this particular item for this particular charity before you begin sewing.
2) Burrito Pillow Case- These are for all ages 2-18. All pillows are all the standard size pillow no matter the age you are making for. They distribute more of these than any other item. Older kids entering foster care are given store bought duffel bags, but also receive a pillow case. It is appreciated if fun fabrics are used, and kids love licensed prints like Marvel, Comic Book characters like Batman and Superman, Harry Potter, Disney. Please follow the same fabric restrictions as for our tote bags above. Ensure you read our project overview sheet for details about crafting this particular item for this particular charity before you begin sewing.
3) Warm Winter Items- We will be making warm hats and mittens/gloves (not fingerless) for young kids ages 5-10 years old. These can be sewn, knit or crochet. We have several suggested patterns for this project, but any pattern is acceptable as long as it meets the guidelines for this charity. It must be age appropriate (5-10 years old) be warm and functional for the harsh winter climate of South Dakota and it must not include any embellishments that are a choking hazard. If sewing these items we ask that you use high quality fleece (for instance anti-pill fleece or better from Joanns and when making hats or mittens that you line these items so they are not single layer.) We have many great patterns to choose from to show you how to make these below!
4) Blankets - We will be sending some small receiving blanket size blankets to be "cuddlers" for the small toddlers/children entering foster care (ages 2-8). We are looking for blankets that are receiving blanket size (technically 40"x40") A good guideline we use is WOF for the snuggle flannel and make a square. Flannel is an excellent choice for what we are looking for in these cuddlers. Please use age appropriate fabric and avoid fabric with the words mommy, daddy, family, etc. on it.
If you have questions about crocheting items feel free to contact our Crochet Advisory Board Member Melanie melanie@craftingchange.org, if you have questions about knitting items feel free to contact our knitting Advisory Board Member Robyn Robyn@craftingchange.org and if you have questions about the sewing patterns, feel free to contact Sewing Advisory Board Member Kathy kathyl@craftingchange.org
warm winter items - crochet
warm winter items - sewn
ERFPN Project Overview Sheet - Sewing
Project Overview sheet for all sewing items for ERFPN. A great resource to start your project, includes sizing info and other helpful tips!
winter items - knit
Shoes to Shine
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Shoes to Shine
Make this yours. Add images, text and links, or connect data from your collection.
Shoes to Shine
Make this yours. Add images, text and links, or connect data from your collection.
Shoes to Shine
Make this yours. Add images, text and links, or connect data from your collection.
Shoes to Shine
Make this yours. Add images, text and links, or connect data from your collection.
Shoes to Shine
Make this yours. Add images, text and links, or connect data from your collection.
Shoes to Shine
Make this yours. Add images, text and links, or connect data from your collection.
Shoes to Shine
Make this yours. Add images, text and links, or connect data from your collection.
burrito pillowcase
welcome tote bags
cuddler blankets
shipping guidelines
East River Foster Parent Network is ready to accept donations whenever you are ready to ship them. They are collecting winter items now to distribute when the weather turns colder. Please use the following address for your shipments. Please be sure to tally your donations and include a Crafting Change Care Slip in your package.
East River Foster Parent Network
4515 E 26th St, Suite B
Sioux Falls, SD 57110