Kristin Steinmetz

Since 2016, I have been collecting items for the most vulnerable youth of Union county, new jersey. Inspired by stories of local foster families, I STARTED TO COLLECT USED kids clothes and books. eventually, i pivoted to the needs of our youngest patrons, packing everything a baby would need for their first weeks with a resource family.

oVER THE YEARS, AND WORKING CLOSELY WITH THE STAFF OF OUR COUNTY'S DIVISION OF CHILD PROTECTION AND PERMANENCY, we've ORGANIZED THE COLLECTION OF HUNDREDS OF diapers, BAGS, and books FOR babies born INto THE FOSTER SYSTEM. I've FOUND mySELF CONSTAntLY HUMBLED AND INSPIRED BY HER FRIENDS and neighbors WHO GIVE sO GENEROUSLY.

My hope is to continue advocacy work to support children in the system, especially deaf children and children of deaf adults, who tend to be more overlooked and misunderstood due to language barriers and too many untrained professionals.