Comfort Cases
Team members: Dyrell Clark, Lissa Frenkel, Cokeitha Gaddist, Natalie Hauff, Brian Itzkowitz, John LaVerne, Laura Pelzer
Working with Landmarks for Youth, a trusted service provider for children without stable families since 1790, Riley Institute participants are launching a new initiative to provide support to young adults transitioning out of foster care. The Comfort Cases project aims to help these youth build the resilience and independence they need to succeed beyond the program, providing not only practical items but also emotional support as they embark on their journey to adulthood.
According to data from the National Foster Care Youth Institute, as of FY22, more than 368,000 children were in foster care in the United States, including over 3,500 in South Carolina. Each year, over 23,000 children age out of the foster care system, with a staggering 20% of them becoming instantly homeless upon reaching adulthood. A quarter of those who age out of the system continue to struggle with the lasting effects of PTSD.
At any given time, Landmarks for Youth serves a population of 13- to 21-year-olds who have experienced significant instability, often having lived in multiple foster homes or group facilities. The organization’s programs focus on counseling, life skills development, and educational support to prepare these young people for independent living. Each year, approximately five young adults age out of Landmarks’ residential program.
In response to the unique challenges these youth face, a group of professionals from the DLI program have collaborated with Landmarks to create Comfort Cases. These personalized kits are designed to provide both practical items and emotional comfort as young adults transition into the independent world. The 15 suitcases, donated by Palmetto Goodwill, are loaded with essential household items and symbolic gifts that convey care and support. These cases will be distributed to the youth who transition out of the organization’s housing.
The Comfort Cases include:
- A suitcase, donated by Palmetto Goodwill
- Refurbished laptop computers, donated by Reading Partners of South Carolina, the Lowcountry Digital Equity Coalition, and Palmetto Goodwill
- A personalized card from the DLI project participants
- A recipe book with family favorites from local participants
- Decorative blankets for comfort
- Soaps and other hygiene products
- A gift card to Palmetto Goodwill
- Books and bookmarks donated by Charleston County Public Library and Charleston Library Society
- Journal, donated by Palmetto Goodwill
- Bento box, donated by MUSC Health & Wellness Institute
Beverly Hardin, Executive Director of Landmarks for Youth, expressed her gratitude for the initiative: “These youth just need a chance in life. By providing these Comfort Cases, we’re not just giving them essentials—we’re showing them that there are caring adults in their lives who believe in their potential and are cheering them on as they take their next steps toward independence.”
Recipients of the Comfort Cases will also receive access to a pipeline of job opportunities through Reading Partners of South Carolina’s AmeriCorp program, a federal agency that engages Americans in community service to address national challenges. Palmetto Goodwill will also provide access to career planning and other workforce resources.
While the first 15 donations of the Comfort Cases Program are part of the Riley Institute’s Diversity Leadership Initiative project, the group developed a toolkit to provide future DLI classes and other service-oriented groups a blueprint for continuing the program.
For more information on Landmarks for Youth and how you can support these young adults, visit www.landmarksforfamilies.org.