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Things that don't belong in a trash bag.

Local YMCAs Partner in Luggage Drive for Foster Care Children

by | May 15, 2016 | Business

Embrace Treatment Foster Care is partnering with local YMCA locations on a luggage drive for children in foster care.

“More times than not, when a child is removed from their home because of abuse or neglect their few personal belongings are placed in a large black garbage bag,” said Gretchen Rusden,
Treatment Foster Care recruitment coordinator. “Embrace Treatment Foster Care wants to ensure each child has a piece of luggage and not a garbage bag for their belongings.”

Donations of new or gently used luggage are being collected at three locations during May, which is National Foster Care Month. These locations are:

Massad Family YMCA
212 Butler Rd., Fredericksburg 22405

Ron Rosner Family YMCA
5700 Smith Station Rd., Fredericksburg 22407

Alexandria YMCA
420 E Monroe Ave., Alexandria 22301

“Help us show these kids they deserve more,” Rusden said. “Help us so that no child will ever have to keep their things in a trash bag again.”

NCG Treatment Foster Care recently changed its name to Embrace Treatment Foster Care to better reflect its mission.

Treatment foster care, also called therapeutic foster care, involves placement of children with foster families who have been specially trained to care for children with medical or behavioral needs. “The kids have emotional and behavioral/habit issues because of abuse and neglect,” Rusden said. “The trauma has often caused a need for therapy, psychology, medication and other services,” she said.

National Counseling Group, of which Embrace Treatment Foster Care is a part, is the largest provider of community-based behavioral health services in the Virginia. The behavioral health care agency provides services for crisis situations, outpatient services and in home therapy, along with treatment foster care.

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