Project Spotlight:  Hands On Savannah's PILLOW PALS

The trauma children face as a result of being removed abruptly from their home is often heightened when they have to leave without any of their own personal belongings. The children are usually placed in emergency foster care where there is no guarantee that personal items meeting the immediate needs of the children will be available. To address this issue Hands On Savannah developed a program to ease the anxiety the displaced children experience being in unfamiliar surroundings.

The program, called PILLOW PALS is designed to provide some measure of comfort to frightened children whose lives have been disrupted. A PILLOW PAL is a pillowcase filled with age-appropriate toiletries and personal supplies. A small gift or treat can also be included in the pillow. Social workers carry PILLOW PALS to each emergency foster care placement.

Hands On Savannah volunteer gathers items to be included in pillow pals for young children.   Hands On Savannah works with local volunteer groups and individuals to create PILLOW PALS. They are then donated to local agencies for distribution to children when they must be placed in emergency foster care. "Hands On Savannah and our agency partners have worked successfully to provide comfort to the children during such a distressing time for them," said Shirley Sessions, executive director, Hands On Savannah. "PILLOW PALS is a wonderful Hands On project and one that truly serves a special segment of our community."

In addition to the children placed in foster care, last year Hands On Savannah also donated PILLOW PALS to children whose families evacuated to the Savannah area as a result of Hurricane Katrina. For more information on how your community can start a PILLOW PALS program contact Shirley Sessions at 912.651.7726 or via e-mail at shirleys@uwec.org.

SUGGESTED ITEMS FOR PILLOW PALS

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