San Mateo County: Hand Sewn Toiletry Bags for the Homeless

The Issue
Civic responsibility includes citizens being personally accountable to and for their community. This can include participation in government, church, or voluntary associations in order to increase the quality of life for members of their community. The California 4-H Youth Development Program believes it is important that civic education start at a young age, so youth can develop an awareness of community needs and realize the difference that can be made by each person’s involvement in his/her community. Research shows that youth who volunteer grow up to be adults who volunteer and are involved with their communities.

What has 4-H Done?
The 4-H Youth Development Program has developed a service-learning teaching strategy that partners community service with education about issues in the community. Through this learning process, youth develop compassion for others and better understand their role as active citizens.

Belmont 4-H Club in San Mateo County used the service learning strategy while aiding two homeless shelters from the Shelter Network. Upon entering the Shelter Network, individuals are provided with the basic necessities, and Belmont 4-H Club wanted to provide sewn toiletry bags to carry bathroom essentials.

Club members learned how to use a serger sewing machine in order to make stronger, longer lasting toiletry bags. Each bag was filled with soap, shampoo & conditioner, lotion, toothpaste, deodorant, a comb, and a washcloth. They surpassed their initial goal of 60 bags by delivering 146 bags.

The Payoff
Project members had an opportunity to experience generosity while helping the homeless and learning some of the challenges they face. By taking a tour of both shelters they discovered that the greater part of homeless people in their area are hard working families that have lost their residence due to financial problems. This knowledge taught compassion for those in the shelter and appreciation for their own secure living situations.

The Shelter Network was grateful for the toiletry bags and planned to use the distribution of the bags as rewards for the homeless for obtaining their goals. “The generous support of people just like… [the Belmont 4-H Club] is what makes it possible for us to provide programs that really work to break the cycle of homelessness.” – Shelter Network

This project “is truly a combination of ‘service’ and ‘education’, for it addresses a very significant local need and also educates 4-H program members about very real aspects of homeless individuals and families in their community.” – Marilyn J. Johns, San Mateo County Director and 4-H YD Advisor

Author: Claire Connolly
Posted June 2008
For more information, contact the San Mateo 4-H Office at 650-726-9059 x106 or mgmeyer@ucdavis.edu.
To submit a 4-H Delivers story, please contact the State 4-H Office at 530-754-8518 or fourhstateofc@ucdavis.edu.