TYLER (KYTX) - The hope in the Duffels for Hope name means "having only positive expectations."
Founder Gina Jones, of Tyler, wants foster children and their new families to have a positive experience especially during the transition. "We've got all kinds of bags, backpacks."
Whether its a girl who loves pink or an avid sports fan, a bag is probably here just for them.
"Gina Jones first had the idea for Duffels for Hope when she and her husband fostered two children. She was stunned when they came home and all of their possessions were dumped out of a trash bag.
"Garage bags are where you've always put in trash and this time they had to put things they loved in them," Jones said.
So the non-profit Duffels for Hope was born and is taking off through the help of Jones's church and friends. (nat)
She's received 231 duffels since May, more than she expected.
When Jones was starting this project, she was just asking for duffel bags, but she got more than she bargained. People filled up these bags with a bunch of essentials like socks, toothbrushes, and soap. But having them overflowing in her laundry room isn't where they can be most helpful.
Jones and her family are making their first shipment to the Children's Advocacy Center.
Brenda Sanchez, a community educator with the advocacy center, says a worker with Child Protective Services will be responsible for picking out a child's bag in what's called the Rainbow Room.
Jones says there are currently more than 350 kids in foster care in Tyler.
She wants to grow Duffels for Hope beyond the city, and cover the region, which may mean more than 1,000 duffels needed for the amount of children in this area.
