The Backpack Project is a donation drive for child victims of abuse or neglect, grades pre-K–12, who need new backpacks and school supplies. When a child's home has been disrupted by abuse, a sense of normalcy is vital, especially when they interact with other children. Each year, the Center sponsors a drive to assist with school supplies for 60 or more children in Travis County who need self-confidence and normalcy in their disrupted world. In addition, the Center distributes school supplies to children who have needs throughout the year. Each backpack is filled with school supplies appropriate to each child's grade level and costs $50 each.
Here is just one example of how your donation will impact a child's life. A 10-year-old girl Christie* who was sexually abused by her mother's boyfriend came to the Center to be interviewed. Her mother was physically and emotionally abused by this man as well, but she was afraid to leave him. CPS helped Christie's mother find a safe place to move so she and her three small children could be safe. The move happened overnight, forcing the family to leave the majority of their belongings behind. During the interview, Christie told the interviewer how sad she was to have to leave her backpack behind. All she wanted was to go back to her apartment, go back to her original school and have her backpack. After meeting with the family, the Center provided new backpacks and school supplies to the children. This little girl just wanted some sense of normalcy. * Christie is not her real name.
If you would like to help, items may be dropped off at the Center throughout the year or over the summer. Sponsor a backpack for a child by making a $50 donation online. We ask that supplies be dropped off by Monday, August 6, 2007 for timely distribution so every child can be served. To find out more about how you can participate, contact Collin Cook at 512/472-1164 x2425 or ccook@centerforchildprotection.org.
SHOPPING LIST
- New backpack
- Wide-ruled notebook paper
- #2 pencils and red pencils
- 24-pack of crayons and 8-pack of Jumbo crayons
- Markers and map pencils
- Red, blue, and black pens
- Highlighters
- Erasers
- Big Chief Writing Tablets
- Rulers
- Scissors
- White glue and glue sticks
- Pocket folders with brads
- One-subject spiral notebooks
- Pencil boxes
- Water colors
- Protractors
