By: Marie Majarais McDonald. Marie is the Language Access and Human Trafficking Coordinator for the SC Coalition Against Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault (SCCADVASA).
When I became a mom 12 years ago, I left an international jet-setting corporate position in Mexico and moved home to Greenville. I immediately became very involved in the community and began a new career in non-profit, specifically working with victims of interpersonal crime. My expertise is in sexual assault, domestic violence, child abuse and human trafficking, with special interest in working with under served, marginalized communities. I now work for the South Carolina Coalition Against Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault, whose membership is made up of the 22 domestic violence and sexual assault centers around the state. We provide technical assistance, training, trauma-informed best practice models for our members and community partners.
Having worked with victims of interpersonal crime for years, my children are pretty well-versed in the sad realities for some families in our community. It has made them incredibly empathetic and compassionate citizens. We always remember to count our blessings and to position ourselves to always help others. We started talking about the issues in our community when they were very young. We talked about safety, consent and what it means to respect others. We talked about trauma and the hurt some families have gone through and the impact that has the individual and on our society.
However, despite all the knowledge I have equipped them with, my daughter, Bella, was completely shocked by the stats on the Greenville County DSS website. She came across this alarming information when doing some research for her “Kindness Project” for school. Did you know that there were 5,800+ child protective services referrals in 2018? She was saddened to learn that when kids are removed from their homes, sometimes they are unable to take any of their personal belongings. She knew exactly what she wanted to do for her project and has taken this mission to heart.
Bella has received permission from Greenville and Pickens County Department of Social Services to raise money and collect donations of (new) basic toiletries and small comfort items (blankets, toys) to make care packages for children entering the foster care system. Her goal is to get enough items to make over 100 care packages that she can deliver to both DSS offices. Bella is handling all of the fundraising and in-kind donations, and she is working hard at developing partnerships with local businesses and community members to make her vision a reality. Her driving force is “making sure those children know that there is someone out there that cares, they deserve to feel loved.”
Bella has received donations from Walmart, Pediatric Dentistry, Rocky Creek Dental, and several community members have dropped off items and given money on her GoFundMe page. She is presenting to Furman’s sororities/fraternities on March 11. She is also waiting to hear back from Target and Costco. Great progress, but she has a long way to go and two counties to cover – check out her GoFundMe page and website to learn how you can help.
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