Wishing Wings Offers Foster Family Experiences | News

As the Boone County Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) for Youth, Ginger Summers saw the foster care system in a different light than most of us.

Seeing so many kids in the system missing out on life’s ‘extras’ prompted Summers to start the nonprofit Wishing Wings to provide some of the things that make kids feel special, boost their confidence and support host families who have welcomed them into their homes.

“When the kids are taken out of the home, the Department of Children’s Services (DCS) provides them with a voucher, but the point is, they grow up like crazy and the seasons change. If you’re a teenager entering a whole new school, you want to fit in and not feel like an outcast, ”Summers said.

For children placed in a parentage situation (grandparent, aunt, neighbor, etc.) no amount is paid by the State in support, which often demands the budgets and resources of carers.

Summers opened the Wishing Wings store in May 2020, a “store” located in two classrooms at Central Christian Church in Lebanon and specializing in the needs of adolescents.

“It’s set up like a boutique,” ​​Summers said. “I only take slightly used or new items. We don’t want little Johnny’s name on the label. We have clothes, make-up, bedding, room decor, sports equipment – and it’s all free. Children can come as many times as they want and collect as many items as they want, there are no limits.

In Summers’ experience, teens in the foster care system often never received new clothes or anything special for their room, and many consignment and discount stores focus on young children instead. only on adolescent and adult sizes.

“Last year 161 kids came to the store and this year we saw 170,” Summers said. “It’s fun to see the kids come in, especially when a price tag is left on a new sweatshirt or pair of jeans and they’re so excited. They never owned anything new. It helps them go to school with their heads held high and with dignity.

If something is needed and you can’t find it in the Store, they can ask Summers and she works to provide it.

This year, Summers added a new program called “A Christmas Experience Wish”.

Rather than a fundraiser or Christmas presents, she felt that giving the teens an experience could be more valuable for the whole family.

“We let families choose the experience they want; the only requirement was that the whole family had to participate, ”she explained. “So we will be sending 14 adults and 22 children to two different events. One group went to the zoo for Christmas and the other group has tickets to attend Disney on Ice in January. With a total of seven wishes, we received donations of $ 1,875 out of the $ 2,049 it cost to send them. One woman actually bought a fairly large family for a year of membership in the zoo.

If you missed the Christmas sponsorship, don’t worry. Wishing Wings grants year-round wishes, sends kids to prom and summer camp, buys sports glasses for a young athlete, provides work uniforms for a teenage employee, and more .

“For all kids, it just gives them a sense of normalcy, helps them make friends and feel included, hopefully boosting their self-esteem,” Summers said. “It’s amazing to see the transformation of these children. I saw their personalities blossom and move from an extremely withdrawn character to a real commitment to their school and their community. That’s what it’s about.

Every dollar donated to Wishing Wings goes directly to the store or experiences. Monetary donations are accepted year round, as well as lightly worn clothing and room decor except underwear and socks – these are purchased new with donation funds.

The Wishing Wings Boutique is open the second Saturday of each month from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at 311 E. Main St., Lebanon. Appointments can be made at another time by contacting Summers at 317-615-9798 or [email protected]. Updated information can be found on Facebook at WishingWingsInc or at https://www.wishingwings.org.

To qualify for an experience, caregivers and children do not have to be residents of Boone County, but must provide a placement letter from DCS and send Summers a message of the need.