THE SHOALS-Students from Youth Leadership Shoals (YLS), a program of the Shoals Chamber of Commerce, were on hand at Shoals CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates for Children) to deliver boxes of hygiene products for local foster children this week.
Youth Leadership Shoals, which offers high school juniors a better understanding and appreciation of the Shoals community, includes participation in a group project to make a positive impact on the Shoals. After learning about last year’s Leadership Shoals project that provides duffel bags to children moving into the local foster system, the students decided to
contribute items to further that project. Youth Leadership Shoals conducted individual hygiene drives at each of their high schools and then presented those items to Shoals CASA.
Andrea Holt
When children are removed from their home for safety, sometimes there is little notice to gather items for the move. Oftentimes, children placed in foster care do not have clean clothes or basic hygiene items to pack.
“The YLS class project is an example of community-based, wrap-around care for the abused and neglected children in our area,” said Andrea Holt, Executive Director of Shoals CASA. “When Braden Hall, a participant from Muscle Shoals High School, approached me with their class project idea, I immediately knew this was a special group of students with a desire to make a meaningful difference in the lives of others – especially in the lives of their peers.”
“What these students have accomplished as a Youth Leadership Shoals project is a dream come true,” added Shoals CASA Board Member Daysha Lowery. “There are so many children in foster care that need our support. They need everyday essentials that sometimes we take for granted, and for CASA to be able to be a part of a project created by children that helps other children – that truly warms my heart.”
