The Wandering Heart Project
The Wandering Heart Project is to ensure foster and homeless children of all ages throughout Massachusetts have access to basic essentials and clothing.
According to FASD United, It is estimated that almost 70% of the children in foster care are affected by prenatal alcohol exposure in varying degrees. Many children with FASD go unidentified or are misdiagnosed. Often, behavioral problems caused by brain damage due to prenatal alcohol exposure are mistakenly thought to be solely a result of difficulties in the child’s previous home environment.
We work with many different types of families here in Massachusetts. Some have adopted, or are still working with the foster care system. We wanted to write a piece about a great organization here in Massachusetts. These two women, Amanda and Samantha, started The Wandering Heart Project to help children in the foster care system.
In September 2020, Samantha was collecting clothes around her house and from neighbors to donate to children in the foster care system. A local social worker then reached out asking for the location of the organization and was disappointed to hear it was a distance away. That's when Samantha had an idea. She immediately started calling and texting family and friends stating that she was going to start collecting clothes for foster children to distribute to local DCF offices.
When Samantha called Amanda to ask if she had any to add, instead of offering clothing, Amanda immediately wanted to be involved. Having experienced difficult times in their own childhoods, both friends understood the hardships many youth in the system face.
After discussing and then researching, they realized there was a need for readily accessible essentials and clothing for foster and homeless children in Massachusetts. They immediately sprang into action and in minutes the idea for The Wandering Heart Project was born (mostly via text message)! Initially Amanda and Samantha thought they would start small, collecting clothing donations in corners of their homes. However, after just reaching out to family and friends and creating their first posts on social media, the outpouring of love and support from their community was overwhelming! Their little donation corners grew.
WHP makes regular donations to foster children all over Massachusetts along with children experiencing homelessness.
Contact The Wandering Heart Project for more information or to donate.