PACKS OF HOPE
Packs of Hope is a non-profit humanitarian organization committed to the vision that every child deserves hope. We offer dignity to children and adolescents by providing for their basic needs. We partner with the community and county human service agencies to provide backpacks filled with essential clothing items to children and youth who are transitioning into foster and kinship care.
The backpacks we offer are provided to children ages newborn through 18 years old. Each Pack of Hope contains a shirt, pants, sweatshirt, pajamas, socks, underwear, toiletries, a book, and a toy. All items in the packs are brand new.
By partnering with the county human service agencies, caseworkers are able to distribute Packs of Hope directly to the children and youth transitioning homes at no cost to the county or child.
Infant
sizes 0/3 months to 6/9 months
Toddler and Child's Checklist
sizes 12 months to children's xlarge 14/16Teen Checklist
sizes adult small to adult xlarge (for larger teens)Who We Serve
Did you know there are over 10,000 children in out-of-home or foster care in Colorado?
Most of these kids are uprooted from situations where the family has broken down and is no longer safe as violence, drugs, abuse, and other evils haunt their everyday lives. Often times children are not able to take any of their ‘things’ with them when they are transitioning into foster care. This is where Packs of Hope steps in and offers a bit of hope and comfort.
Since 2008, Packs of Hope has served more than 28,000 kids.
Packs of Hope is only operated in Colorado and currently serves Arapahoe, Boulder, Broomfield, Denver, Douglas, El Paso, Gilpin, Jefferson, and Weld County Human Services. Each county keeps backpacks on hand in all sizes for boys and girls for immediate use by caseworkers.
History of Packs of Hope
Packs of Hope began when Michelle and Brad Smithling went through a county adoption and were confronted with the very real needs of children in the foster care system. A vision evolved to help other boys and girls in transition. It is our hope to provide for children throughout Colorado.
Packs of Hope delivered the first set of Packs to Jefferson County’s Human Services Department in 2008. After an enormous donation of backpacks, we delivered Packs of Hope to Arapahoe County in 2009. Thanks to faithful supporters we are now able to serve Denver, Boulder, Broomfield, El Paso, Gilpin, Weld, and Douglas Counties in addition to Jefferson and Arapahoe.
To watch how Packs of Hope began, click below:
Since inception, we have served more than 6,500 kids in transition.
