INITIATIVE GIVES YOUNG PEOPLE IN FOSTER CARE DIGNITY
Every Saturday in March from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., White collects suitcases at an Aaron Bros. storage facility, located at 4030 S. Michigan Ave. Photo provided by Patricia Andrews-Keenan
When S. Maria White found out that when children who age out of the foster care system at 18 years old, are given a garbage bag for their belongings, she knew she had to do something. So, she started the Roll Out In Style Suitcase Initiative to collect suitcases for those young people.
White said she was inspired by reading a Facebook post from a friend in Tampa, who was collecting suitcases to give to young people there. “These are children, and I couldn’t imagine having their life,” she said.
White said it started her on a personal journey to birth the non-profit in late January. She said she wanted to make sure no child left the state with a black garbage bag. She said it was the wrong kind of message to give to a young person who had already been through so much in their lives.
“My goal is to make sure that children leave the state of Illinois with more dignity, more empowerment,” she said.
Every Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., White collects suitcases at an Aaron Bros. storage facility, located at 4030 S. Michigan Ave. White also will host suitcase collection events on the West side and in the South Suburbs.
White said, because of COVID-19, she has not been able to meet with the young people she has collected suitcases for. She said she would like to have a ceremony with those young people and bring in inspirational speakers who have gone through the foster care system to impart some wisdom to them.
Part of the non-profit is to focus on awareness, empowerment, education and entrepreneurship. White describes herself as a “passionpreneur,” creating projects that she was passionate about. She said it gave her a sense of empowerment. She will also be distributing scholarships.
“I believe that human kindness is more kind than anything, so it doesn’t surprise me that people are taking this seriously and are coming out and being really supportive. What’s surprising me is the magnitude,” she said.
White said the state gives her their numbers each month and she supplies those bags. She said there are plans to collect and donate in other places.
White said people have been donating their talents to her non-profit. She is looking for people with special skills who want to volunteer.
“You don’t have to donate a suitcase, you can donate cash, you don’t have to donate cash, you can donate your time, or you can just tell people,” she said. “Most people I talk to did not know this type of thing happens.”
Those interested in donating new suitcases, backpacks, duffle bags or tote bags to Roll Out in Style, call or text 312-690-9209, or email RollOutInStyle@gmail.com.
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