As you can imagine, the stress of inconsistent housing can take a toll on our families. For many of them, finding the extra money to celebrate an occasion such as a birthday can be impossible. At Carpenter’s Shelter we try and provide a sense of normalcy for each of our clients and birthday celebrations are not any different.
Birthdays are a celebration of life and we want each child living at the shelter to feel special and know they are valued. Carpenter’s keeps a closet stocked with gifts that have been generously donated. Parents are able to select two gifts for their child’s birthday. Carpenter’s Shelter also works with real estate firm CBRE and their CBRE’s Birthday Cakes for Homeless Children program which provides each child with a custom birthday cake.
It may be hard for some of us to picture celebrating a child’s birthday without a party or presents. However, this is a time when our children don’t have to worry about their current living situation. They simply get to be like every other kid and celebrate being another year older.
Thankfully with the support of our donors and volunteers, we are able to acknowledge that each child living in the shelter is amazing in their own special way.