How would you feel?
700 children and teenagers enter foster care each day in the United States. That’s one child every two minutes. Most of these children are given a trash bag in which to carry their belongings.
How would you feel if you had to carry your school books and supplies in a trash bag? How would you feel if you went to spend the night at a friend’s house and all you had was a trash bag to carry your things?
Can you imagine what your life would be like without caring adults to take care of you, to support you, and to provide for you?
This is reality for over 437,000 children in foster care in our country.
By starting a Comfort Cases Club at your school, YOU CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE.
Create a Compassionate Community
By starting a Comfort Cases Club, students will learn about the challenges facing teens in foster care and have the opportunity to make a difference in their lives.
Only 54% of youth in foster care will graduate from high school. Only 11% will apply to college, and only 3% will earn a 4-year degree. Teens in foster care are 7 times more likely to suffer from depression than their peers who are not in foster care. One in four youth in foster care between the ages of 16 and 17 have attempted suicide.
Comfort Cases give vulnerable kids the sense of dignity, hope, and self-worth that can lead to long-term healing and a bright future.
Develop Leadership Skills
From planning fundraisers and events to educating and inspiring others to take action, students involved with a Comfort Cases Club will develop life-long leadership and community engagement skills. Club officers and members will work together to educate their peers about foster care, organize and market fundraisers and donation drives, and push for systemic changes by writing letters to government representatives.
Make an Impact
Comfort Cases Club members make a true impact in their communities. Raising awareness through education will inspire others to get involved. Writing letters of support to put in Comfort Cases will give hope to teens in need of friendship and encouragement. Collecting donations will provide comfort and personal care items like new pajamas, stuffed animals, toiletries, and journals to children in foster care. Hosting fundraisers will help Comfort Cases ship the cases to foster care agencies throughout the country.
Dean Arnold
Comfort Cases Ambassador
President, Comfort Cases Club, Quince Orchard High School
In the fall of 2018, Dean Arnold started the first Comfort Cases Club as a freshman at Quince Orchard High School in Gaithersburg, Maryland. After volunteering at Comfort Cases and learning about the challenges facing youth in foster care, Dean was inspired to take action. He recruited members, developed meeting plans and a club curriculum, and planned numerous successful fundraising events. Dean is a true leader and will act as liaison between Comfort Cases management and Comfort Cases Club officers.
Suzanne Friedman
PhD, Comfort Cases Club Advisor
Suzanne Friedman, Ph.D., is a licensed psychologist in private practice with a special interest in trauma and PTSD, eating disorders and body image, and career counseling and coaching. Suzie has more than 20 years of experience in clinical work, supervision, higher education teaching and outreach. As a Comfort Cases Club advisor, Suzie offers guidance with regard to club curriculum and is available to support students who may be triggered by sensitive topics included in educational materials.
Rob Scheer
Comfort Cases Founder
Foster Care Advocate and Public Speaker
Rob Scheer entered foster care at the age of 12 and became homeless when he aged out of the system during his senior year of high school. While other kids were focused on college applications and preparing for their futures, Rob’s concern each day was where his next meal would come from and where he would sleep that night. His vision for Comfort Cases Clubs is to educate young people about the challenges facing teens in foster care and to inspire students to become leaders who make a difference in their communities.
Register Your School
Please fill out this form if you are interested in starting a Comfort Cases Club at your high school or middle school. It’s okay if you don’t have a teacher sponsor yet. Once you submit your form, someone from our team will reach out to you with more information. Thank you!