Hundreds of requests are made to CONCERN's Special Needs Fund each year. They fall into eight main categories:
PERSONAL CARE KITS consist of duffel bags containing personal items, such as a towel, washcloth, shampoo, toothpaste, toothbrush, soap, a comb and brush and tissues. Over 1,500 of these kits have been given to children who, in many cases, have entered our care carrying their worldly possessions in a trash bag.
MEDICAL/DENTAL CARE include those costs not covered in full by Medical Assistance. Examples of these costs include eye care and eyeglasses, dental services and exams, immunizations, prescriptions, physical exams and hearing aid accessories.
LESSONS include music, dance, karate, art, swimming, cheerleading and gymnastics.
EDUCATION includes tutoring costs, college application and testing fees, summer school, vocational education courses and materials, class trips, senior year expenses, GED testing fees, college courses and school activities.
CAMP EXPERIENCES include summer camp, sports camps, scouting camps and Special Olympic Camps. These experiences allow children to improve their socialization skills, build self-esteem and have a good time.
RECREATION covers the costs of sports equipment, participation in sports activities, scouting, YMCA and other youth programs.
LIFEBOOKS are not just scrapbooks or journals or photo albums, they are truly a child's own autobiography wrapped up in messages, pictures, and memories. Lifebooks are personal histories, but also can be therapeutic as well as a child may need an outlet to grieve. He/she may also need to get a real sense of why he/she is in foster care. These books are written and detailed in a fun, entertaining, and, most of all, informative manner.
OTHER needs are also met that do not meet the criteria of the above categories.
Alicia was involved in a car accident. Her eyeglasses were broken. She did not qualify for Medical Assistance, so the Special Needs Fund helped her to purchase a new pair immediately.
Amanda was four years old when she came into foster care from an emotionally traumatizing and intellectually impoverished environment. She lacked the stimulation and social experiences that were necessary to prepare her for school. The Special Needs Fund was able to provide the tuition so that Amanda could attend a preschool to provide her with normal socialization skills and better prepare her for kindergarten.
Tina had found stability in foster care after a very troubling childhood when her foster home burned to the ground and no belongings were salvaged. The Special Needs Fund was able to replace Tina's clothes, as well as her uniform and books necessary for her vo-tech education.
Tara qualified to attend the Summer Odyssey Program at Brandeis University. Despite financial assistance, she was unable to meet the full tuition costs. The Special Needs Fund provided the difference, and she was able to study, experience college life, and be exposed to people from many other backgrounds.
Tyrone and six other residents from one of the CONCERN Treatment Units for Boys attended a sailing camp on board a fifty foot schooner on the Chesapeake Bay. This experience taught them teamwork and responsibility through the assignment of tasks aboard the ship. The Special Needs Fund made it possible by paying their tuition fees.
Because of the generosity of our donors, CONCERN's Special Needs Fund was able to enhance the quality of life for these and hundreds of other children in our care. Your donation to CONCERN really can make a difference in a child's life!
Special Needs Fund 