Here’s a few photos of the recent donations received at the Krier Center. If you have time read the note received from the Director of the Krier Center.
Tom,
Thank you again for the delivery this week of beautiful quilts. I am sorry that we missed each other, but I am hopeful we will have more opportunities in the future.
I am glad you were able to receive the card, and the kids had actually made a couple more, but I don’t think had them signed…we will hold those for the next trip.
One thing to know about many of our kids, we have several that are in the care of the state (CPS) due to abusive/neglectful backgrounds, and many of the others have come from very troublesome backgrounds. Many haven’t had “transition objects” in which to helps with stressors as they have grown up (ex: blankets or lovies as babies or small children). When they arrive with us, they have found themselves being removed from their homes due to their legal issues, in need of treatment, support, love, and grace.
Over the course of the past (almost 2 years) our kids have welcomed every single one of the quilts that have been offered.
As a new child arrives at the facility, it is part of their personal belongings that they are given and get to take with them when they leave. It has become that if someone doesn’t receive one right away, they are the ones asking when they will receive their quilt. The kids are always excited to learn that they will get to take the quilt with them when they graduate the program. I have had some kids who are parents that speak of taking the quilt home for their child, or others who may make comments of sharing it with a parent or grandparent when they return home (this always makes me happy to see how their thoughts are going to utilizing the quilt to care for someone else—COMPASSION).
As you can imagine, we have a pretty routine items that a child can have in their rooms (with pretty standard color schemes), the quilts are always a joy to see the pop of color it brings to their rooms. The kids will roll them up and use them as pillows, or many hold onto them when they are checked on at night—something of comfort during their sleep.
I would have never thought that a quilt would make such a difference, but we see it every day. I know that we are not a formal donation spot, but I am so hopeful to keep this tradition alive for as long as you have wonderful members who are willing to share their love and talent with our kids.
Thank you again for your continued support in being our liaison, and making the connection with me.
Happy Holidays!
Tamara
Tamara L. Vasquez, LPC-S
Facility Administrator—Krier Center