Brave Bags: A community-based program supporting children in crisis

When children are removed from their homes due to abuse, neglect, or other crises, they often leave with nothing but the clothes on their backs. This lack of personal belongings compounds the trauma of losing their home and family, leaving them without basic necessities or items of comfort.

Jama Ross, executive director of Blessings in a Backpack Fort Wayne, knows these scenarios all too well. As a former social worker, she’s seen how children in the foster care system are affected when their lives are uprooted. According to the American Society for the Positive Care of Children, neglect is the number one reason children are removed, followed by parental drug use.

William Beauchemin’s reality was once a case study for how this trauma can play out in tangible ways. A friend of her son, Ross met the Beauchemin at a low point in his life. He was removed several times from an unsafe home due to addiction. Each time, he had to essentially start over.

“He lost everything — the only family he’d ever known — and couldn’t even bring a book or a hoodie,” Ross says about one particularly abrupt exit.

This gap in support highlights a systemic issue in how children’s immediate and emotional needs in crisis are addressed during those transitions.

Enter Blessings in a Backpack’s Brave Bags initiative, also affectionately called “William’s Bags.” The program provides children in crisis with backpacks filled with essential items like food, hygiene products, and blankets, as well as comfort items such as stuffed animals, books, and nightlights. Each bag also includes a handwritten card with messages of encouragement and a resource guide for additional support.

Speaking of support, Ross says the Brave Bags program underscores the value of collaboration. By aligning with existing agencies and organizations, Brave Bags has been able to reach children at critical moments without duplicating efforts. 

“We don’t have to be the lead singer,” she says. “We can be the backup dancer and still make a difference.”

Reflecting on the project’s impact, Ross points out how it was first developed with input from Beauchemin. She asked him what kinds of items would have been most useful or comforting during his own transitions. This collaborative approach ensured the bags were thoughtfully curated to meet both practical and emotional needs.

According to Ross, the program has grown rapidly, starting with 300 bags distributed to agencies like Allen County CASA and the Better Future Clinic. It has since expanded to include partnerships with the Three Rivers Ambulance Authority, rural fire and police departments, and other victim assistance programs. 

The program’s rapid growth also speaks to its potential. The Three Rivers Ambulance Authority now stocks bags on its entire fleet, ensuring first responders can provide immediate support to children in crisis, and the Fort Wayne Police Department uses the bags to support children navigating the court system.

“On what could be a dark, anxiety-filled day, the bags bring a little excitement and comfort,” says Kristy Lindeman, director of the Fort Wayne Police Department’s victim assistance program.

These anecdotes motivate Ross to keep showing up and doing the work. At the same time, Brave Bags represent a labor of love. Ross says that initially, the team struggled with how to differentiate bags for different age groups. After trial and error, they adopted a system using printed designs for younger children and plain backpacks for teens. Additionally, the inclusion of gender-specific items like feminine hygiene products remains a logistical hurdle, as it’s difficult to predict which children will need them.

Feedback from partner organizations and recipients speaks to the real-world impact of Brave Bags. For instance, as Lindeman contends, the bags have transformed the experiences of children in her program.

“The kids get to choose a bag and a stuffed animal that speaks to them,” she says. “It’s something they can hold onto, even when they go to court.”

Though Ross is optimistic about the program’s future, she’s also candid about the realities of non-profit funding. The cost of assembling the bags is high, as they are designed to prioritize quality over quantity. This limits the number of children who can be served, especially as demand continues to grow. Additionally, the program relies heavily on community donations and volunteer support, which can be inconsistent.

Geographic reach is another limitation. While the program has expanded to rural areas like DeKalb County, many areas still lack access to Brave Bags. As Ross notes, scaling the initiative to serve more communities will require additional funding and partnerships.

In the meantime, Ross makes a point to lean into the everyday wins that pull at her heartstrings. 

“It’s the little things that I’m hearing are making the biggest difference,” she says. “You know, I’m thinking that the $20 stuffed animal going in the bag is going to really make somebody’s day. But then I get a message back [saying] the biggest thing to [the recipient] was the card…that said, ‘You are loved.”