Dart Foundation grants Borrowed Hearts Owensboro $42,000 to support foster children

Borrowed Hearts Owensboro Receives $42,000 Grant to Support Foster Children

Borrowed Hearts Owensboro, a local nonprofit dedicated to serving foster children, received a financial boost on Wednesday as the Dart Foundation presented them with a $42,000 grant. The organization will put the funds toward providing new shoes and duffel bags to children in foster care with the goal of enhancing their sense of self-esteem and belonging.

Enhancing Self-Esteem and Belonging Through New Shoes and Duffel Bags

Amanda Van Bussum, the founder and president of Borrowed Hearts Owensboro, expressed gratitude for the grant.

“This grant is a huge gift to us. It allows us to tackle a couple of projects that have been like dream projects for us, but we just didn’t really have the means to tackle,” she said.

Van Bussum said the funding will allow Borrowed Hearts to ensure that every child in foster care locally can receive new shoes at least twice a year. She said what makes the initiative special is that the children will have the opportunity to choose their own shoes, promoting a sense of autonomy and normalcy in their lives.

In addition to providing new shoes, Borrowed Hearts plans to introduce duffel bags to accompany the hygiene packs already distributed to new foster care placements.

Community Support and Mission

Borrowed Hearts Owensboro opened its doors on December 5, 2019, with Van Bussum saying they experienced immediate and overwhelming community support.

“It’s been amazing. It’s truly been unbelievable. Not everyone feels called to be a foster parent, but I think that everyone has a heart for children who are in foster care, and people like having a way to help,” she said.

The organization is located at 1705 West 2nd Street and is laid out similarly to a store, though Van Bussum noted items are provided to foster children free of charge. These items include clothing for babies, toddlers, kids, and teenagers, aligning with the heart of their mission.

Dart Foundation’s Support for Local Communities

The Dart Foundation is a private family foundation established in 1984 that serves as the charitable organization for Dart Container.

Jennifer Southard, human resources manager at the Owensboro location for Dart Container of Kentucky, said the foundation specifically donates to areas where the corporation’s facilities are located, “to try to make an impact in the communities where our employees live.”

The selection process involved employees nominating organizations within the local community. Borrowed Hearts Owensboro was one of the three approved organizations with the most nominations. Employees then voted on those three finalists, with Borrowed Hearts emerging as the top choice.

“I think there are some employees who have been personally touched by that organization, so it really had a special place in a lot of their hearts, and others have seen the work that they’ve done in the community too,” Southard said.

Support Borrowed Hearts Owensboro

For more information about Borrowed Hearts Owensboro and how to contribute, visit their website or Facebook page. The organization accepts donations throughout the year to support their initiatives.

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

1. SDG 1: No Poverty

   • Target 1.3: Implement nationally appropriate social protection systems and measures for all, including floors, and by 2030 achieve substantial coverage of the poor and the vulnerable.
   • Indicator: The article mentions that Borrowed Hearts Owensboro received a $42,000 grant, which will be used to provide new shoes and duffel bags to children in foster care. This initiative aims to enhance their sense of self-esteem and belonging, addressing the issue of poverty and vulnerability among foster children.

2. SDG 4: Quality Education

   • Target 4.7: By 2030, ensure that all learners acquire the knowledge and skills needed to promote sustainable development, including among others through education for sustainable development and sustainable lifestyles, human rights, gender equality, promotion of a culture of peace and non-violence, global citizenship, and appreciation of cultural diversity and of culture’s contribution to sustainable development.
   • Indicator: The article mentions that Borrowed Hearts Owensboro will allow children in foster care to choose their own shoes. This promotes a sense of autonomy and normalcy in their lives, contributing to their overall education and development.

3. SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities

   • Target 10.2: By 2030, empower and promote the social, economic, and political inclusion of all, irrespective of age, sex, disability, race, ethnicity, origin, religion, or economic or other status.
   • Indicator: The article mentions that Borrowed Hearts Owensboro aims to provide new shoes and duffel bags to every child in foster care locally, ensuring that they have access to essential items free of charge. This initiative promotes social and economic inclusion for children in foster care, reducing inequalities.

Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

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Source: owensborotimes.com

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