Be the one to make a difference for new parents in your community. Your help is needed to collect brand new, high-need newborn and baby items. You will assist caregivers engaged in programs that are designed to prepare new and expectant parents by teaching them important skills and supplying items whenever possible. Thanks to donors like you, caregivers who are facing challenges like temporary unemployment, transitory living arrangements, or other difficulties will have their needs met during times of transition. Suggested new items include:

• diapers of all sizes
• baby wipes
• formula
• bottles and bottle cleaners
• burp cloths
• teething rings
• onesies of all sizes
• new pajamas
• new board books (Spanish language or bilingual a plus) - for newborns, toddlers, and preschool age children
• educational & developmental toys
• pack-and-plays
• tummy time mats
• care packages for moms (including postpartum care items)
• car seats
• strollers
• VISA gift card or gift cards to stores like Walmart, Target, and grocery stores (Acme, Shoprite) to purchase diapers, essentials, and clothing as babies grow

Please note: 

We can accept brand new items only.

We cannot accept cribs, high chairs, changing tables or any type of furniture.

Housing insecurity is on the rise in New Jersey and across the country, leaving children and communities vulnerable to the devastating, lasting impact caused by a lack of safe housing. 

With your collection, you can change the life of a person in need. You can help uplift a child or teenager during their transition into safe housing. Many children and teens arrive carrying only a handful of belongings in a trash bag and must start fresh. To help make them feel comfortable during this difficult time, each room can be supplied with:

• Twin bedding set including sheets and a comforter
• Pillow
• Duffle Bag
• Hair care items including shampoo and conditioner for a variety of hair types, satin bonnets, hair brushes, and combs
• Toothbrush & Toothpaste
• Deodorant
• Body Wash
• Socks
• Stuffed Animal
• Journal & Pen
• Robe & Slippers
• Clothes Hangers
• Small Lamps
• Area Rugs
• Room decor like string lights, inspirational art work, picture frames, posters, and knick-knacks
• Set of Towels
• Mirror
• Shower Caddy 
   

There are teens and young adults who are currenty couch-surfing or living on the streets and are in need of a safe place to live. Your help is needed to prepare Backpack Care Kits - new, sturdy backpacks filled with essential items. Our staff will distribute the backpacks along with hotline information and connection to resources and safe housing:

• new, sturdy quality backpack
• warm socks
• wet wipes
• toothbrush & toothpaste
• small bottle of Dawn dish soap
• deodorant
• journal & gel pens
• comb or brush
• nail clippers
• water bottle
• first aid kit
• flashlight
• non-alcoholic mouthwash
• lightweight, compact sleeping bag

Backpacks will be given to teens and young adults who are living on the streets or couch-surfing. Along with the backpacks, our staff will provide information and resources for support, including transportation to safe housing and emergency shelter.

Please note: Backpacks of high-quality over quantity is appreciated. Sturdy backpacks are needed.

Your help is needed to collect welcome bags filled with new items. The welcome bags will create a positive first impression for children when they arrive to our Juntos Homes, as they await family unification. New drawstring bags work best, or new totes or backpacks. Suggested items include:

• crayons, color pencils, markers, pens & pencils
• coloring books
• bilingual or Spanish word finds
• sensory toys 
• stress balls
• arts and crafts sets
• journal & gel pens
• calendar book or agenda
• bilingual or Spanish-ready books for a variety of ages (0-17)

Birthdays are a special day, and your help is needed to make sure every young person in our care feels special on their birthday, including the children and teens who are living in our homes, some without the support of family. 

You can be the one to make a child's birthday special. Start a collection to support the Birthday Giving Project by collecting birthday boxes filled with fun items that will make a child feel special on their birthday including things like:

• Birthday card
• Plates, napkins, streamers, candles, and other birthday goodies and decorations
• Gift items: journal, colorful pens, adult coloring book, colored pencils, wireless earbuds, $10 gift cards to Wawa, McDonalds, Taco Bell, Salad Works, or movie theatres.
• Gift card to ShopRite or other grocery store for birthday cake
• Gift card (for birthday gift) to any of the following: Amazon, Walmart, Target, VISA, or American Express
• Gift bag and tissue paper or wrapping paper

Your support in coordinating a collection of new duffle bags will help the teens and young adults living in our homes with a sensible means of transporting their personal belongings as they transition back to their families or to another caring home.  Donations of the following new items are needed:

• Duffle bags - all styles and colors (expandable bags or foldable bags with wheels are best)
• Large backpacks appropriate for travel

Many times, children and teens come to us with just the clothes on their backs. While in our care, we provide them with life's essentials, a safe place to live, a warm bed, clothing, and new sheets and towels so they can focus on healing and moving forward.

Your help is needed to collect new art supplies to create Healing Through Art Kits to help children manage grief and trauma, build resilience, and find comfort through creative expression. Suggested items include:

• Colored pencils, markers, gel pens
• Journals & coloring books of all types
• Small containers of bubbles (6 or 8 oz.)
• Small personal white boards and whiteboard markers
• Emoji stickers
• Photo boxes
• Games that could be used for therapeutic purposes like Jenga, Connect 4, Elefun, Ungame, Checkers, or Uno
• Kinetic Sand and Sand Trays
• Hoberman Mini Spheres
• Small plastic mason jars
• Glitter glue
• Colored tissue paper
• Small terra cotta pots
• 1-2 stones, large enough to paint
• Metallic markers that write on rocks and stones

Note: each kit does not need to contain every single item, however a variety of items in each kit is helpful. 

Right now there is an urgent need for fundraisers to cover the cost of special outings and enrichment activities. These important activities have been limited due to the multi-year disruption of the pandemic, but you can make summer memories possible by starting a fundraiser.  Your fundraiser will give kids the chance to have fun and broaden their horizons through participation in enrichment and recreational activities.

Here are a few ways you can coordinate a monetary collection:

• Set up a GoFundMe collection & select Center For Family Services as the beneficiary.
• Share the link to our online Caring Community Fund giving page.
• Create a birthday fundraiser on social media to benefit Center For Family Services. 
• Use social media to share your Venmo or PayPal with friends and family to support your fundraiser. 
• Host a brunch, dinner party, or movie night and ask guests to make a donation of cash high-needs items. 

School presents a unique challenge to every individual student, but there are additional obstacles that some students may face through no fault of their own. Some students need support with their laundry and hygiene in addition to standard school supplies. You can help Center For Family Services provide for a student in need of extra support. Items most in demand are:

• New, sturdy backpacks
• Shoes and socks for preschool ages
• Laundry detergent, dryer sheets, and laundry bags
• Khaki pants and polo shirts (uniform clothing) in all sizes and colors
• Deodorant
• Toothbrush & toothpaste
• Hair care products for all hair types
• Body wash & bar soap

Items are needed as soon as possible and on an ongoing basis. 
 

Teens who age out of the foster care system often have a difficult time establishing their foundation once they enter independent living. Any young adult living independently for the first time experiences difficulties, but those served by Center For Family Services’ often don’t have another support system outside of their case worker and may arrive to a nearly empty apartment. Welcome Baskets are a great way to show your support for young adults and teenagers who are entering a new phase in their lives.  

Please consider donating the following new items to a young adult to welcome them into their first independent living home or apartment:

• A sturdy laundry basket
• Laundry detergent and dryer sheets
• Dish soap
• Kitchen sponges
• Full-size or Queen bedding set including sheets, pillow cases, and a comforter
• Pillows and throw pillows
• Broom & mop
• Paper towels
• Toilet paper
• Toilet brush
• Plunger
• Clothes hangers
• Silverware set
• Pot & pan
• Cutting boards
• Kitchen utensils
• Chef's knife and paring knife
• 4 place setting dish set
• Baking sheet

You will help a young adult get started on the right foot in a new home of their very own. 

Your help is needed to provide essential items for people who are currently or have been recently unhoused due to addiction. These essential items send a message of support for people as they follow a path to recovery. Family members with loved ones experiencing addiction will also benefit from recovery self care items. You can help by collecting any of these new items:

• mini journals
• pens
• stress balls
• brushes/combs
• toothbrush/toothpaste
• shampoo/conditioner
• dry shampoo
• socks
• underwear
• baby wipes/hand wipes
• gum, candy
• nail polish
• nail care items (no metal nail files)
• non-alcoholic mouthwash
• adult coloring books
• book marks with inspirational sayings
• aroma therapy items: lotion, bath bombs, oils 
• massage tools like hand rollers or feet rollers 
• chapstick
• gift cards to Wawa or Starbucks

Note: each bag does not need to contain every single item, however a variety of items is helpful. 

You can coordinate a collection of needed items. Or, you can spread the word about the need for monetary donations to cover the purchase of recovery self care items through our Caring Community Fund.  Optional: we can order the needed items with your donations and ship them to you for your group to pack the kits.

Make your gift today to meet the urgent needs of a child in your community.