Girl Scout Spotlight
Florida law states that foster kids must have their privacy protected and personal belongings secure and transported with them . However , Emily wondered – is a black garbage bag appropriate ? With two other Girl Scouts , Emily collected and donated over two hundred duffle bags with blankets , notebooks and pens , small Bibles and padlocks for their ‘ It ’ s In the Bag ’ Silver Project . The bags were given to foster kids who were living in a group home . The kids were also instructed and provided materials for personalizing their duffle bags with embroidery and permanent markers .
It is the responsibility of the state of Florida to protect children . When a child is placed in foster care , the state should not be complicit in causing more harm to that child , be it emotional or physical . Emily strongly believes that Florida statute needs to change and budget allocated toward providing a dignified and secure method for transporting personal items , such as a duffle bag .
Girl Scout Gold Award Sparks Advocacy
Every day , a young child in Florida is identified as
being abused , neglected or abandoned . While the State recognizes that most families desire to be competent caregivers and providers , there are times when removal of the child from parental custody is necessary .
“ When I was eleven years old , I was removed from my home and placed in foster care . That night , the caseworker provided a black garbage bag for my belongings , saying I had fifteen minutes to be ready to leave the only home I ’ d ever known and the family I loved ,” shares Emily Worthington . “ Ten years later , I wanted to find out why the caseworker was allowed to simply hand me garbage bad signifying to me that I no longer mattered and was no better than the trash that belonged inside .” And so – Emily ’ s idea for her Silver Gold Award projects was born .
For her ‘ Emily Cares ’ Gold Project , Emily created a flyer , spoke at churches , schools and businesses about changing Florida Statute to disallow the use of black garbage bags . She continues to speak with legislators and legislative staff to educate them about the issue and hopes to get the law changed during the 2018 legislative session .
Emily spent four months in foster care , yet her three adopted siblings continued to be in and out of state care . Now Emily attends Seminole State College , working toward her dream of becoming a child counselor and making a difference in the lives of children everywhere . She holds down two part-time jobs in order to meet expenses .
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