Please Help Kids Who Are Aging-Out of Foster Care

[Kristine Pagsuyoin]

The Lakewood Family Collaborative and H2O have partnered with the Peter Jones Project ( featured in the Lakewood Observer) to assist in collecting personal grooming items for teens who have aged out of the County foster care system. Please consider collecting and/or donating items at our next Collab meeting on March 22nd at the Lakewood Women's Pavilion. 1pm-2:30pm. In addition, items can be dropped off at Lakewood's 3 fire stations and PNC Bank beginning March 1st. Items needed (but not limited) are:

• Shampoo and conditioner for all hair types
• Hair grooming products for all hair types
• Non-bar personal soaps
• Toothpaste and toothbrushes
• Mouthwash
• Floss
• Body lotions and moisturizers
• Nail grooming items
• Deodorant
• Feminine Hygiene Products

Lakewood Fire Stations: 8am-8pm
#1- 14601 Madison Avenue
#2- 18124 Detroit Avenue
#3- 12567 Clifton Blvd.

PNC Bank
9am-4pm

[Justine Cooper]

I will put the word out. I work with children waiting on group homes and independent living who have no family and really feel for them when they are staged out on their own at such a young age. Are these for Lakewood teens or all over the county? Do you need clothing or other items too?

[Kristine Pagsuyoin]

Hi Justine,

I am not sure how to answer your questions and so I am referring you to Colleen at the Lakewood Division of Youth. If you call 529-6868, you will reach someone at the office who can put you in touch with Colleen. Collen is charged with the Foster Care and Adoption programs.

Thanks so much for responding at wanting to help out! The Lakewood Collab decided at our January meeting to start helping out with different collections each month. Last month we collected on behalf of the Lakewood Community Services Center. They left our meeting with a huge box of personal items. Everyone chipping in a little can really me a big difference.