Holiday Event 

History of Event
Since In My Shoes is fully staffed by alumni of foster care, we understand the value of family connections and the need to provide holiday celebrations on the actual holiday. Our organization began our annual holiday celebration on Easter in 2005.  At the time, we were a small organization and only a handful of youth and alumni gathered at the Director’s house for Easter egg hunting, food, and to enjoy being with our In My Shoes family. “It had been a long time since I felt a sense of family, but as I looked across the room and saw so many of my brothers and sisters of foster care, it brought back the feelings of family that I thought had been long forgotten” said, Jesus Romero, a foster care alumna.

As our organization grew, In My Shoes began celebrating other holidays. In 2006, we were able to partner with Casey Family Programs and Inter Mountain to celebrate Thanksgiving with youth and alumni who had no family to celebrate the holiday with.  Sabrina and her husband Michael DeCeault were two of the alumni who attended the Thanksgiving event. “My husband and I grew up in foster care in Seattle. We were new to Tucson and new to In My Shoes. We didn’t really understand that In My Shoes was about more than just mentoring, it is about family!  My case worker, Mary Blessington, took me to the celebration so we didn’t have to be alone on Thanksgiving.  That was one of the best things she has ever done for me. It gave me a whole new reason to be thankful. Two years later, I am still thankful I have a family with In My Shoes”, Sabrina shared about her experience.

In 2007, the foster youth who serve on the In My Shoes, Inc. Advisory Board, voted to celebrate Christmas instead of Thanksgiving that year. Clara, who was living in a group home at the time said, “We should celebrate Christmas, but only if it is on Christmas Day. There are a lot of youth who don’t get to go home for Christmas, and for them, it is the loneliest day of the year”.

In My Shoes held its first annual celebration for over 60 children living in group homes, who were not able to go home for Christmas. Each child received a stocking filled with goodies, a gift, and a gift card.  Along with the gifts, there was food, games, activities, and the best part of all, their very own, “family” tradition!

Each year, In My Shoes is committed to keeping this holiday tradition alive!  Although there is often not enough funding for the event, the holiday committee has worked diligently to obtain donations to make this day possible. Michelle Fish, a member of the committee said, “We are creating memories and preserving traditions for these children. Even for me, it has been difficult to not have my side of the family for my children. It has been hard to explain to my kids why their Dad has so many relatives and I don’t. Now, being a part of In My Shoes, I can show them, this is my family and this is our family tradition.”

To be a part of the 2009 committee, please send us a volunteer interest form.

Items Still Needed for the 2008 Holiday Event
In My Shoes is looking for a variety of donations including:

Monetary Donations

$50 Visa Gift Cards

$50 Mall Gift Cards, good at any Tucson Mall

New, Unwrapped Gifts for Teens valued at $25  

  • Thanks to the donations from our community, 75 children and youth living in foster care will have a good Holiday Memory, Christmas Dinner, Holiday Crafts,  and a Stocking full of useful goodies. We are well on our way to also helping each child and youth to also recieve a $50 gift card and a gift valued at $25.00.
  • To donate to this event through our PayPal account, please click on the link below. It only takes a few minutes! Thank you in advance for your contribution!

    

 

To read a full blog about this year's holiday event, please click here.