The majority of the more than 2,000 New Mexico children in foster care started their journey with very few belongings and almost no understanding of the new people and place that suddenly was being called home.
Many enter the foster care system with their belongings in a trash bag. They are often scared and confused about what will happen to them and their family, according to Red Mountain Family Services, a treatment foster care agency based in Rio Rancho.
To help ease that transition with some dignity, Red Mountain began the Luggage for Kids program to give foster children a sense of being cared for and respected.
“It is the organizer’s hope that having new luggage available to them will set the stage so that their experience in the foster care system can be focused on improving their life and making sure they are safe and secure,” Red Mountain said to the Signpost.
The organization was aided by the local Venturi Realty Group led by Tracy and Tego Venturi. Rio Rancho Mayor Gregg Hull also joined the event on Valentine’s Day to help sort the new luggage for local kids.
Rio Rancho Mayor Gregg Hull (l) and Cindy Clark Thompson of Red Mountain Services help sort donated luggage for foster children // RMFS 
Volunteers from Venturi Realty helped Red Mountain Family Services collect luggage for foster children on Valentine’s Day // RMFS 
Volunteers from Venturi Realty helped Red Mountain Family Services collect luggage for foster children on Valentine’s Day // RMFS 
Volunteers from Venturi Realty helped Red Mountain Family Services collect luggage for foster children on Valentine’s Day // RMFS