“We are committed to providing basic needs to homeless children so that they can live life without worrying about where they will sleep or what they will eat.”
~ The Mission of Washington Kids in Transition
Kim Gorney from Washington Kids in Transition spoke with Erica about their initiative to help homeless children in the Edmonds area. Currently, they are hosting a drive to provide about 600 bags filled with hygiene and toiletry kits to students struggling with homelessness. The kits include items like shampoo, conditioner, deodorant, razors, and sanitary supplies, and the teens are especially impacted by this and are so thankful. It’s a HUGE boost to their self-esteem and helps make them feel good about themselves.
Click PLAY for more!
Catch hope & encouragement with Erica on weekday mornings from 5:00 AM – 10:00 AM, and Sundays from 12:00 PM – 2:00 PM.
TRANSCRIPTION:
Erica:
Spirit 1053. Hi.
Kim Gorney:
Hi, Erica. It’s Kim Gorney from Washington Kids.
Erica:
It is always so lovely to connect with you. How are you doing?
Kim Gorney:
I am doing really well. How about you?
Erica:
Well, I’m feeling happy, Kim, because I know that when I get an email from you, it means that more good is going on in the world. You all at Washington, Kids are about making sure that children who are homeless in the Edmonds area can live life and go to school without worrying about where they’re going to sleep, or what they’re going to eat. And to me, that is the most meaningful work to be a part of. I know that right now you all are doing something really important for the students. Would you share about the drive you’re hosting this October?
Kim Gorney:
Well, during the holiday season, we provide about 600 bags for students in this area that are really struggling to keep a roof over their heads. And part of the bags and ones the kids get really excited about is a hygiene and toiletry kit. So, we include shampoo, conditioner, deodorant, razors, sanitary supplies… just whatever. It’s really hard to spend the money on. If you have a choice between food and a razor, we’re going to choose food. So we get each of the kids one of these bags, and we’re hoping that if everybody will just pitch in a little, we’ll have a lot, and we’ll have enough to get the supplies out to all the kids.
Erica:
It’s so wonderful because I know it’s got to make a difference in school, in life when you feel clean, right?
Kim Gorney:
Absolutely. And for some of our kids that have the really curly hair, they need those extra little brushes and detanglers. They’re so expensive. So, we hope to be able to get a few of those too and make the kids feel really good about themselves when they walk through that door.
Erica:
Yes, I’m cheering for that. I imagine that when you give these hygiene kits out, you see a lot of shy smiles, Kim.
Kim Gorney:
Well, especially the teens. I do remember this one girl, and it was the sweetest thing when we gave her the bag, her response was, I didn’t think I was going to get anything this year, because she had two little siblings. So our heart is really with the teens, and then we do what we can also for the smaller members of the family. But the teens are the ones that are really crying out for help, and we hope that we can provide it. And they’re the ones that get so excited about the hygiene kit.
Erica:
Wow. I don’t blame, I mean, we all want to feel, I mean, not just clean, but pampered. We can take care of ourselves. I know it must mean the world to the parents as well, Kim.
Kim Gorney:
Absolutely. I think it’s a win-win situation for everybody, and we really love the opportunity to do this for the families.
Erica:
I know you do, and that just makes me so thankful for you, Kim. Thanks to you and your team at Washington Kids for catching the spirit in Edmonds and beyond. You’re just a dear .
Kim Gorney:
Oh, thank you for having me.
Comments