The End of the Trash Bag

Support for foster and systems-impacted youth

County of Los Angeles (select only if your project has a countywide benefit)

Expand existing project, program, or initiative (expanding and continuing ongoing, successful work)

Los Angeles County currently has over 25,000 youth in foster care who've endured abuse, neglect, or abandonment. A stark symbol of this systemic failure is how many children arrive at new placements carrying their few belongings in trash bags. This practice, deeply personal to Comfort Cases' founder Rob Scheer, strips vulnerable youth of basic dignity and self-worth.
These children represent a diverse tapestry of our community: approximately 44% are White, 23% Black, 21% Hispanic, 8% are two or more races, and 2% are Native American. Many face prolonged instability, with about 10% having been in the foster care system for over five years. The emotional toll is significant, as approximately 25% suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder.
Ultimately, children in foster care desperately need stability, encouragement, love, acceptance, and unwavering support from their communities.

This grant is a game-changer for Comfort Cases and the youth of LA County. It will empower our mission to deliver dignity and hope to 1,200 youth in foster care by establishing a comprehensive partnership with all social service agencies across LA County. Through this special program, agencies can directly order Comfort Cases, ensuring these vital bags reach every child who needs one. Comfort Cases are backpacks that include basic comfort, educational and hygiene items. The hygiene items encourage children to develop healthy self-care habits, the books and journals serve an educational purpose, and the backpack and comfort items support children’s self-esteem and sense of belonging.
Beyond direct aid, this funding will significantly advance Comfort Cases' advocacy for systemic change and awareness. We'll intensify our efforts to transform the foster care system, working towards a future where every child feels truly valued, not just by us, but by society as a whole.
Crucially, a portion of this grant will be dedicated to a $5,000 Hope Scholarship. This scholarship will provide a life-changing opportunity for one eligible youth in foster care, supporting their pursuit of a college or vocational school education, offering a pathway to independence and a brighter tomorrow. All scholarship recipients receive Hope Boxes: Monthly care packages sent as a form of encouragement, packed with essentials, treats and a gift card to support students in their new chapter.

1. No child entering LA County's foster care system during this grant period would ever carry their belongings in a trash bag again. Instead, every child would receive a new, age- and gender-appropriate Comfort Case.
2. Social workers and frontline responders would be empowered.
3. LA County residents would be engaged in supporting children through packing parties and letter-writing campaigns.
4. (Ripple Effect): While not a direct solution, providing dignity, stability, and access to educational support (like Hope Scholarships and Hope Boxes) from the outset would increase the likelihood of LA County's youth pursuing higher education, and successfully transitioning into independent living, ultimately reducing the rates of homelessness and indigence.
Los Angeles County would be home to a foster care system where every child's basic human dignity is not just acknowledged, but actively upheld through tangible acts of compassion and systemic understanding.