Donating to Impact the Lives of Children

Marcelo Valdivia, a senior from St. Rita of Cascia High School, recently participated in the Caritas Service Project. The purpose of the project is to strengthen Ritamen by encouraging them to practice their core values through community service projects. They find a project that resonates with them and helps the most marginalized in our society. As the Ritamen partake in the Caritas Service Project, they gain management skills, demonstrate how St. Rita High School is an agent of change in the community, and learn how to lead a project from start to finish.

A few weeks ago, Valdivia called Bethany Christian Services asking if they would benefit from duffel bags for their Safe Families for Children program. “Of course, we would be able to use them! Thank you for thinking of us!” stated the Office Manager. “We have children who come to our program with nothing expect the clothes on their back. Yes, we most certainly can use them.”

Safe Families for Children program is a network of volunteer host families who help parents in need of temporary care for their children as they work through hardships such as homelessness. Low-income and vulnerable parents need support when crisis enters their lives. A support system for the parents will alleviate their stress level and empower them to make sound decisions for themselves and their children.

Why duffel bags? Valdivia stated, “Everyday hundreds of children enter foster care with their belongings in trash bags, no child deserves to carry their most prized possessions in a trash bag. I decided I wanted to support a service project that will benefit 20 foster care children with 20 Sweet Cases (duffel bags filled with basic comfort items; like a blanket, hygiene kit, teddy bear and an activity book). I want to help be a part of the way kids experience foster care in the United States.”

Valdivia’s project consisted of multiple moving parts such as reaching out to Together We Rise nonprofit, start a fundraiser and campaign with Together We Rise, creatively marketing the fundraiser, and emailing prospective donors. He sought to raise $515 to purchase the items for the children. “I was surprised to see strangers donate $50 to my son’s project,” stated Mrs. Valdivia.

The project went smoothly. There weren’t any major obstacles. Valdivia did experience fear though as he was executing his project. “I felt a small sense of fear of not reaching my goal or having to ask for donations because it’s something I’ve never done before. However, thank God for my parents who constantly remind me that sometimes I am going to be put in certain positions that I don’t like or that I am not comfortable with, but that somehow or someway I need to find the will to overcome certain situations.”

This wasn’t just a feel-good project for Valdivia. “I think for me it was truly a gratifying experience overall, but I realized that there are some people in this world who really want to make a difference by showing their generosity. I also learned that I have great sympathy for children who are in need of love, compassion and attention. Something I never had to think about because I have it every day around me. It’s really important to remember that making decisions should be consistent with our morals.”

Valdivia plans on pursuing a career in nursing. He will complete his nursing degree at Saint Xavier University. Through this project, Valdivia definitely demonstrates the heart of a nurse, a person who goes above and beyond to help others.

Bethany Christian Services of Illinois finds families for children and strengthens families. To learn more about Bethany, please visit https://www.bethany.org/chicago.