The holidays can often look different for children in the foster care system. This is why Washington nonprofit Treehouse makes sure they have something special to look forward to.
Treehouse supports the educational needs of foster youth statewide, including about 250 students across Clark County. Each year, the organization’s Holiday Magic program provides children and youth in foster care with one personalized gift, ensuring they have something to call their own during the holiday season.
“It means so much to get something that is all yours,” Program Director Victoria Kutasz said. “I think most people can think back to a gift they got that meant a lot to them, and that’s our goal to be a part of that. “
When foster youth move into a new home, it can be hard for them to feel secure in a new space, Kutasz said. Certain gifts, such as a night light or white noise machine, can be grounding in that place of uncertainty, she said.
The 35-year-old program is made possible through a partnership with the Washington State Department of Children, Youth and Families. In 2007, Treehouse took over the program and now funds a portion of it through fundraising and private donations.
Since 2007, Treehouse has worked to refine Holiday Magic, modernize it and make sure it is meeting the needs of foster youth, Kutasz said.
“Throughout the year, our team works really hard to identify gifts that are going to be exciting for our young people,” she said. “That’s when the caregiver is able to go in and select what they think will be most exciting to the young person who they know best in their home.”
Each year, Treehouse receives lists from the Department of Children, Youth and Families and Tribal Courts with youth in foster care who are eligible for Holiday Magic.
Treehouse then sends emails and letters to all the eligible kids and their caregivers.
Caregivers choose something for kids in their care from a list of gifts curated by Treehouse.
The gifts can range from movie tickets, Bluetooth speakers and headphones, to art kits, night lights or experiences.
Those gifts are shipped directly to the caregiver’s doorstep throughout the holiday season. So far, 3,800 foster youth in Washington have requested a gift this year.
“Part of the goal of this program is that it’s an opportunity for relationship building and for young people to feel at home, valued in the space they are in, which can feel very isolating sometimes during the holiday,” Kutasz said.
Treehouse has a store in Seattle that operates year-round and provides clothing, school supplies, books and backpacks to youth in that area. Foster youth can visit the store three times a year and get up to 20 items every visit.
In Washington, nearly 15 percent of foster youth will experience three or more placement changes before they age out of the system at age 18. Only 53 percent of foster youth graduate from high school in four years.
“The gift is not necessarily from Treehouse — that’s not our goal. Treehouse is helping facilitate a meaningful experience for the young person in the home they’re staying in,” Kutasz said.
