The Totes of Love program serves the immediate needs of Domestic Violence victims fleeing their homes without any belongings. Totes of Love provides large, pre-filled essential needs bags that include items to help the difficult transition into emergency shelter along with safety items for their protection. The bags provide support to stay on the path to safety and are available for adults and children.
Each bag contains a soft blanket, sheets, bath and hand towel, shampoo, soap, other toiletries and a filtered water bottle.
Adult bags are then customized by a Domestic Violence advocate with appropriate safety items such as a Trac Fone, Birdie personal safety alarm, Invisawear security jewelry, security bars, portable door locks, Ring video doorbell and driveway alarms. If necessary, personal kitchen items such as electric kettles, rice cookers or instapots, dishes and utensils can be provided. Gift cards for grocery stores or Uber-eats are also added before the client leaves. The junior totes are for children ages 2 – 18 who come to the FJC with their fleeing parent. Children’s bags include all the essentials plus some encouraging gifts like art sets, stuffed animals, sensory toys, building sets and games.
The FJC is seeing a dramatic rise in the escalation of abuse and therefore has more clients than ever needing to escape their homes. Contents of one tote can cost upward of $500. Through community fundraising and donation efforts, this program aims to stock bags to ensure availability for every client in need. Donors can provide funding for bags, or purchase items needed to provide the safest outcome for our clients and their children.
