Our mission is to provide children entering foster or out-of-home care, a suitcase of new essential items, to call their own and send them a message of Hope – and give them a sense that they are worthy and are cared for by the community.
What is Hope in a Suitcase?
Hope in a Suitcase Australia is a non-profit organisation run by volunteers who are incredibly passionate about showing every child who enters the foster care system that they are loved and valued by their community.
We aim to do this by giving them a suitcase of their very own to ensure they have a safe and secure place in which to pack their belongings and take with them wherever their journey may lead.
The suitcases are filled with essential items such as toiletries, (sanitary items for the older girls), underwear, a set of pyjamas and a change of clothing. They also include something to cuddle for the younger children, a toy, a book to read, a journal or colouring-in books and pencils to encourage creativity and provide a distraction away from their turmoil.
In 2021 we provided 3024 suitcases, in 2022; 3817, in 2023; 5013, to worthy children in Australia. Sadly the demand is increasing every year but we will continue to endeavour to provide EVERY child who enters out-of-home care, a suitcase of HOPE of their very own.
Watch Our Video
LEARN MORE ABOUT WHAT WE DO
Since this video was recorded we have grown to cover areas of NSW, Queensland, Victoria and Tasmania
How You Can Help
There are many ways in which you can help us provide suitcases of hope to precious children and young people across Australia.
- Donations of items to fill our suitcases – see full list of items needed per age group below
- Donations to purchase suitcases or items needed
- Get your school, workplace, church or sporting club involved by sharing our vision and offering to be a donation collection point
- Show your support on social media by liking & sharing our Instagram or Facebook pages
The Vision of Hope in a Suitcase
It is a sad reality that each week across Australia, hundreds of children and young people will enter foster care or out-of-home care. Most of the time, when children are removed from their home, it happens very quickly and is quite traumatic. It’s usually not possible for them to gather their belongings, therefore it is common for them to come into care with only the clothes on their back, or carrying a plastic bag filled with a few items grabbed in a hurry. Sadly, these plastic bags are dragged with them from placement to placement as unfortunately many children will move multiple times before re-unification with their birth-families becomes possible, or they find a forever family through legal guardianship or adoption.
The suitcases we aim to deliver to these children are filled with essential items such as toiletries, (sanitary items for the older girls), underwear, a set of pyjamas and a change of clothing. They also include something to cuddle for the younger children, a book to read, a journal or colouring-in books and pencils to encourage creativity and provide a distraction away from their turmoil.
The effects of ‘Hope in a Suitcase’ go beyond the direct impact of the resources they provide. It is empowering and makes room for positive change within our community. Children with a strong sense of self-worth feel competent to cope with the basic challenges of life and feel worthy of success and happiness. It gives them a solid foundation for their learning and development.
Find Hope in a Suitcase in your State
New South Wales
Queensland
Victoria
Tasmania
