Judge Gardner's Closet

KCMSA donates needed household items to “Judge Gardner’s Closet” to assist young adults transitioning from foster care to independent living.

Part of our juvenile justice system involves children who are made wards of the court due to neglect and abuse on the part of their parents.  At least some of the time, some of these children are adopted.  However, others are not, and these children remain in foster care as wards of the court until they reach the age of adulthood (18).  At this time, these young people leave the court system and begin the transition to independent living, usually with very limited resources.

Judge Patricia Gardner, who is a judge in the 17th Circuit Court Family Division, and handles many of these cases, has started an initiative to help in this transition process.  It truly is unique, and others have dubbed it “Judge Gardner’s Closet.”  In this closet (which really is a closet off her courtroom), are small items, such as dishes, glasses, silverware, bed linens, bath and kitchen towels, bedspreads, a coffee maker and toaster or two, an iron, and throw blankets.  These items have been donated and are offered to these young people to help them in the process of making a home for themselves.

The Alliance has supported Judge Gardner’s efforts since 2004 with an annual collection of new and gently used items as described above, usually at our April meeting.  We are the only group that does this, and it has made a huge difference to dozens of young people.  Judge Gardner, as well as the entire Court staff, sincerely appreciates both our generosity and our efforts in this regard.  It does make a difference.
For more information contact Adrea Haidle or email info@kcmsalliance.org

Hope Community Day Care

KCMSA helps to make the holidays special for children and families at Hope Community by providing gifts and cookies as part of the annual KCMSA Holiday Tea.

Hope Community provides transitional housing for homeless women and their children.  Those who choose to become a part of Hope Community agree to participate in an individualized self-discovery and educational process designed to help them identify and overcome barriers to self-sufficiency.

Hope Community offers on-site case managers and a network of community health and human services agencies to offer comprehensive educational, job training and placement, family assessment, and health care programs directly to resident families.  On-site child care is available to help residents access the available vocational, counseling and health care programs.

The Kent County Medical Society Alliance coordinates an annual Holiday Party for the children of Hope Community.  Plans begin for the day care party in early fall, when the director is contacted and asked to provide a wish-list of items the facility needs to maintain their accreditation.  Members shop and bring the wrapped items for the day care to the annual KCMSA Holiday Tea and also provide a plate of cookies for the families and staff.  In addition, a group of KCMSA members meets in November to shop for the individual children based on their age and gender so that each child will receive a gift.

During the party the children work on a craft, decorate a sugar cookie with colored frosting and (lots) of sprinkles.  The party culminates with the children gathering in a circle to open the many wonderful gifts that will remain at the day care center for the children to enjoy.  At the end of the day each child goes home with their individual gift bag and a plate of home baked treats.

2011 DATES:
Tuesday, November 22, 8am: Shopping Outing.  Meet and help choose individual gifts and stocking fillers at the Dollar Tree, 4260 28th St. SE, Kentwood.

Wednesday, December 7, 3-5pm: Day Care Party.  Help host and run the party!  RSVP to Deb Shumaker or info@kcmsalliance.org


 

2011 Wish List (Suggested Donation Items - Bring to Holiday Open House December 6)

*   Games (board or card) for Toddlers & Pre-school age
*   Audio books on CD 
*   Large Paint Brushes
*   Board books &/or Pop up books
*   Construction Paper & Contact Paper
*   Glue Sticks
*   Washable / Non-Toxic Paint
*   Stickers
*   Washable Markers
*   Water color paint
*   Batteries AA, C, & D
*   Spray Bottles
*   Large Motor toys:  Balls, Jump ropes, Hula Hoops
*   Small Bean Bags for games
*   Male Dolls / Figurines
*   Dress up clothes & shoes for boys
*   Wooden Puzzles
*   Disposable Wet Wipes
*   Underwear (boys & girls, sizes 2T & 3T)
*   Diapers & Pull-ups (any size)
*   Band-Aids
*   Toothbrushes & Toothbrush covers
*   Bibs (large vinyl)
*   Magnetic leterrs (large)
*  Baby lotion
*  Rocking Chair
*  Dolls with hair (Multicultural and washable)
*  Make believe kitchen
*  Dishes and plastic food

The Hope Community Holiday Party is truly a wonderful project supported by the Kent County Medical Society Alliance.  For more information contact Debbie Shumaker or email info@kcmsalliance.org

Doctors and Their Families Make a Difference

KCMSA collects and donates needed items to local domestic crisis shelters to provide basic comforts to women and children living in transitional housing.

For twelve years, KCMSA members have supported the MSMS Foundation, MSMS physician members, Alliance members, and their families in helping to provide basic comforts to women and children living in Michigan’s family crisis shelters. Each year our members collect much-needed personal care items for families who often arrive at shelters with nothing more than the clothes on their backs.

Shelter Needs Include:
1. Diapers, pull-ups and wipes
2. Cleaning products (incl. bleach, laundry detergent, etc)
3. Baby food and formula
4. Deodorant
5. Toothbrushes and toothpaste
6. Over-the-counter flu, cold and pain medicines
7. Feminine products
8. Socks and underwear for children and adults
9. Ethnic hair products
10. Gas and phone cards

Participating is easy, fun and meaningful for medical families, staff and friends of medicine. KCMSA members can help in this effort simply by donating a few of the needed items or distributing empty bags in their neighborhoods or to other groups.  The filled bags are then collected at the KCMSA Holiday Tea and delivered to local shelters.  IDonations will be delivered to the Kent County YWCA Domestic Crisis Center.  For more information and bags, contact Jillian Bosscher or email info@kcmsalliance.org.