When children enter foster care there is a common practice in which children are given trash bags to move their belongings. This heart wrenching gesture makes children feel disposable during one of the most difficult moments in their young lives. Together We Rise created the Sweet Case duffle bag program to show children in foster care that they are seen, supported, and loved.
Sweet Case duffle bags are given to children as they enter foster care or are transitioning into a new placement or forever home. Each Sweet Case duffle bag has a detachable custom panel that is decorated with encouraging statements and fun images. We pack these suitcases with new comfort and hygiene items. Regardless of whether the child enters foster care with only the clothing on their backs or they have time to gather their belongings, every child is given a dignified way to transition and move into a new home. Kids are not trash, period.
My son Wesley loves his bear and blanket. He moved in with us a little over two years ago and we had a huge breakthrough. He finally fully unpacked his blue (Sweet Case) duffle bag. It’s like he’s finally understood that he is safe here. Thank you
I’ve moved to a dozen schools while in foster care. All my life was shoved under my bed in a black trash bag. Even as an adult, I am still deeply ashamed of how diminished I was as a child. It felt as if no one saw me, heard me, or thought of me. I was disposable, just like my things in the black garbage bag under my bed. Thank you Together We Rise for caring enough to help change this.
Thank you for taking my son James on a shopping spree. He can not stop showing everyone his new sneakers, a blessing onto him and our family.
Being a foster mom is the greatest joy I have in life. My children mean everything to me, whether I have them for a day, a week, a year. They are in my heart forever. My family just loves Together We Rise and we're grateful for the love they and their volunteers pour into our children and community.
A Sweet Case is a blue duffel bag filled with a teddy bear, blanket, crayons, coloring book, and a hygiene kit. Sweet Cases are geared towards children 10 and under, offering beautiful handmade designs. The custom details aim to uplift youth and remind children in foster care that they matter.
Yes! To help teens transition into their new placements in foster care, we offer Teen Duffle bags. Unlike the Sweet Case, a Teen Duffle is a discrete, understated black bag. Featuring an embroidered Together We Rise logo on the corner of each duffle bag, we remind teens in foster care that they will rise up to the great future ahead of them.
Sweet Case duffle bags are sponsored by our supporters. We redistribute them to children in foster care through our foster agency partners or directly to foster families requesting them for their children.
Sweet Case duffle bags are designed specifically for children 10 and under. However, if a child wants a Sweet Case, we are happy to provide one for anyone in foster care. For children over 10, Teen Duffles are a great alternative.
92% of all donations go directly towards the sponsored program. Together We Rise is committed to ensuring that your support is directly reaching children in foster care nationwide. For more insight on our financials, please review our financial documents here.
