You Mean I Can Pick Out What I Want?

This holiday season, the Park West Foundation – Blue Babies created a "store for a day" at the Embassy Suites in Southfield with items donated from community members. Youth in need had the opportunity "shop" for winter clothing, food and hygiene products and be treated with dignity and respect. One youth from Davenport Shelter exclaimed, "You mean I can get what I want?" in surprise.

PWF-BB took in donations from the Save Our Children Coalition - Faith Communities Coalition, including over 150 coats donated by individuals at Bethel Lutheran Church. Many other individuals and organizations contributed items which were nicely displayed for the youth to pick what they needed and wanted. The store included gently used shoes, toys, books, coats and hygiene products.

The Blue Babies of Park West Foundation are youth who are, or were in the child welfare system and who are committed to improving themselves and other youth who are in care. Most attend college and others are working on the goal of a college education or a trade skill. The youth work as a family to support, educate and encourage growth in each other and the community, under the care and support of the Program Director, Saba Gebrai. Ms. Gebrai is dedicated to improving the lives of children who have left the child welfare system through caring and innovative initiatives that seek to empower youth to take charge of their lives.