School News

Providing Comfort to Those in Need

On Wednesday, January 24, Rob Scheer visited 5th-8th graders to introduce his organization Comfort Cases and tell the story about how his organization comforts and supports kids in foster care. Scheer, and his husband Reece, adopted four children out of the DC foster care system in 2009. Each child arrived with a trash bag full of their belongings. This sight echoed feelings deep within Scheer of his childhood experiences in the foster care system. Scheer says carrying a trashbag full of their belongings sends a message to children making them feel invisible, undesirable, and disposable. Scheer was inspired to change this message and ensure all foster care kids knew that they were wanted.

Comfort Cases provides backpacks filled with new personal items for foster children as they are sent to their new homes. These personal items give the child a sense that they are loved, wanted, and can feel what it's like to have brand new things meant just for them. Cases are packed with items such as unopened travel size toiletries, a blanket, stuffed animal, and most important a new pair of pajamas. Scheer was inspired by his daughter to include a new pair of pajamas because it was the only thing that made her smile for the first time. "It's a privilege to give back, for each and every one of us," Scheer says. His advice to kids who want to make a difference in the world is to start talking about the issues they care about to raise awareness and volunteer wherever they can.

Scheer concluded his talk by giving Middle Schoolers three things to remember as they walk through life. First, is to use their listening ears because everyone has a story; second, to use kind words because change has never come from hateful speech; and finally, to lead by example and empower each other to give their best.

After their release of a video on UpWorthy, Rob and Reece told their story on Ellen and last year Scheer provided 30,000 cases to children in foster care in 31 states, including Puerto Rico. The Lowell community will have an opportunity to contribute to the effort on Feb. 10.

Community Service Co-Chair Jackie Dobranski, who helped arrange for Scheer to speak to the students, is organizing the LPC's first backpack packing party. Collection bins will be set up on Monday, Jan. 29 in the Pre-Primary, Primary, and Middle School lobbies for donations. At the party, volunteers will get a checklist, sort through bins and pack the backpacks to go to children in foster care.
 
 
Lowell School is a private PK-8th grade school located in NW Washington, DC. Our mission is to create an inclusive community of lifelong learners in which each individual is valued and respected.