Love and Luggage
Sarah and Jim Otis 419/283-4298
Love and Luggage
ssotis@bex.net
In honor of Amanda Lynn Otis
History of Love and Luggage
In 1999 a scrappy, cautious nine-year-old girl came to our home to be adopted. She had been in foster care through Lucas County Children Services for the prior 3-years. She was 9 soon to be 10. We had built our home life ready and able to bring Amanda into it with love, God's guidance and the love and support of a loving church and family. We did all that was prescribed by Lucas County Children Services (LCCS) to make it a safe environment and one that would encourage and embrace her arrival in December of that year. Her name: Amanda Lynn Otis.
Amanda and her case worker showed up with two black garbage bags of her personal belongings. She came with her possessions of 10 years in two bags. How do we measure the life of a child who has had a life of personal trauma in two garbage bags? What defined her was hurtful and was demeaning. We knew we could do better. She thought nothing of being packed up in two garbage bags. This was her life.
Around 2010, the concept of Love and Luggage was developed (in heart and in theory). In 2018, conversations began with LCCS about this concept. There were grants available, but to submit to the Greater Toledo Community Foundation or other prospective donor foundations, we had to be a registered 501.c.3. It was not our desire to create another nonprofit in Northwest Ohio. Teaming up with a local nonprofit that also worked with foster youth was the best way to support Love and Luggage. Eventually, a decision was made to team up as a program of Adopt America Network. What began as a mutual connection has grown into a supported program that encourages adoption and healthy relationships for these youth.
As of 2023, Love and Luggage has served 27 different young adults and engaged 81 adults through volunteers, partnered agencies and donors.
Need for Love and Luggage
On any given day, there are nearly 424,000 children in foster care in the United States. In 2019, over 672,000 children spent time in U.S. foster care. On average, children remain in state care for over a year and a half, and five percent of children in foster care have languished there for five or more years.
As of 4/22
• LCCS has 899 cases open
• 438 of those are in kinship placements
• 401 are in foster homes
• 60 are place in "other" placements
Love and Luggage is meant to address the need for a caseload of 30 children yearly. Starting out in 2021, LAL will meet the need for teens (18-25) who are aging out from the child protection system. Once they graduate high school, most of these teens will be going to reside on their own-- attending college, joining an apprenticeship training, or entering the work world. Since they have lived in group, foster, or relative caregiver homes, most won't have the amenities necessary to start living independently. Without a community that supports this vulnerable group, they will struggle with homelessness, pregnancy, continued abuse and mental health issues.
These young adults could benefit from adult luggage large enough to put their personal belongings in. Additional items to go in the bags based on recommendation will be provided through a pantry housed at First Presbyterian Church of Maumee. (Love First) Included in each duffle bag as examples would be hygiene items, a towel set, housewares, cleaning supplies, personal items and a Visa Card and a NIV Bible. Building partnerships with other organizations serving this population will help broaden Love and Luggage's ability to support the participants as they move into independent lives.
Sustainability of LAL- Outcomes
The sustainability of Love and Luggage is a crucial consideration for success as teens emancipate from foster care year after year Love and Luggage will focus on those young adults who are 18-25 who have been in custody of LCCS and have aged out of the system.
The number of LCCS teens emancipating will vary, so the annual expense will rise or fall depending on that figure. The long-term viability of the program will depend on donors such as churches, businesses, civic organizations individuals, and foundations. The Otis will be tithing to fund this project.
There is interest to move to a more holistic approach to support emancipated youth through partnerships that support teens. Post COVID will allow us to expand on this opportunity.
This is a community investment, because the more successful emancipating teens are at transitioning into adulthood, the more likely they will become productive, taxpaying citizens themselves. Teen homelessness is a particular problem among emancipating teens, both locally and nationwide. This then leads to other problems, such as crime, drug use, and others. Statistically, 70% of emancipated youth will be homeless within their first two years.
Love and Luggage continues to ask the participants what they need the most when they come together for the dinner gatherings. Moving forward, these will be implemented as much as possible.
Number of Graduates per year.
2021-10
2022-15
2023-17
Participation rate is 75% at each of the community dinners held every 6-8 weeks.
2023 Events for participants of Love and Luggage
Sarah and Jim Otis, 1311 River Road, Maumee, Ohio 43537
ssotis@bex.net 419/283-4298
https://www.loveandluggage.org/
Power of partnering-being a program of Adopt America Network, Inc.
CURRENT PARTNERS:
NO USED LUGGAGE
We cannot and do not accept used luggage out of principle and health reasons.
We thank you for your generosity and the desire to recycle luggage..
If you would like to support purchasing of a NEW 27" Fila Duffle Bag, please contact us.
Your support of monetary donations is appreciated as it helps us purchase luggage, items for the pantry and provide gift cards for our young adults. Adopt America Network is the fiscal agent for Love and Luggage. Please kindly make all checks payable to Adopt America Network.
Note: Love and Luggage
For easy online donations, click on the red rectangle to AAN's donation platform. Please make notation when prompted that it's for Love and Luggage. Thank you!
In addition to providing these young people with new luggage, we provide the opportunity to gather as a community for dinner, a life-skill program, visit to the L and L pantry, and groceries provided by Maumee United Methodist Church of Maumee. Gathering provides a sense of community that many of these young adults don’t have as they navigate independent living.
Below is a link to the list of items we need to replenish the pantry:
If you want to shop on-line the link below will take you directly to our Amazon WISH LIST
River Road Inn & Sweets-Helping Fund The Mission of Love and Luggage
In May of 2021, we opened an Airbnb in our home in Maumee, Ohio.
The plan is to help “fill” our large home (empty nesters) and we enjoy
traveling using Airbnb’s. A percentage of the revenue from the
Airbnb will be used to help offset some of the expenses related to
Love and Luggage. The listing is found at:
We welcome referrals and offer a friends and family discount.
2023 Events for participants of Love and Luggage
Location: First Presbyterian Church, 200 E Broadway, Maumee, OH unless otherwise notified.
Sarah and Jim Otis ssotis@bex.net 419/283-4298 https://www.loveandluggage.org/
LEADERSHIP TOLEDO - Youth in Philanthropy Encouraging Excellence (YIPEE)
Please Click the Link Below to Read the Program Information:
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SLUHAN Family Scholarship
The SLUHAN Family Scholarship is for any emancipated youth for trade school or any accredited program
Please Click the Link Below to Read the Program Information:
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Mortgage Bankers Association of Northwest Ohio
"Love and Luggage is grateful for the donation of $12,000 for the work of supporting young adults who are aging out of the foster care system. Through the 2022 year, MBANWO raised funds to go towards luggage, pantry goods, dinner gatherings and gift cards for our participants. We couldn't do this work without the generosity of the organizations in Northwest Ohio. Thank you to the Board of Directors and all the members of the Mortgage Bankers Association of NWO."
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Greater Toledo Community Foundation - Stranahan
Greater Toledo Community Foundation- Stranahan Supporting Organization Fund awarded Love and Luggage $10,000 for the community dinners and gift cards for young people. This was written in collaboration with Adopt America Network for a program geared towards supporting families who have adopted older children. Thank you, Stranahan Supporting Organization, for your support and belief that these young people need a village.
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2023 Class Graduation Announcements:
In collaboration with Lucas County Children Services, on June 8th we will be applauding 15 - 17 young people for their hard work and diligence to graduate!
For the Graduation event, it is important to have the pantry stocked with items for independent living.
Shop here for items needed so that all of the young people are set up with household items.
Want to be involved with this special day? Reach out: ssotis@bex.net
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Field of Interest and Unrestricted Funds Increase the Power of Giving (GTCF/Foundation Matters, 2021
The financial support of area nonprofits that assist with foster care, adoption, aging out of the foster care system and housing for
emancipated youth in northwest Ohio is a great example of the power of unrestricted and field of interest funds.
Please Click the Link Below to Read the Entire Article:
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Donation Drive Kicks Off for Young Adults Leaving Foster Care (Maumee Mirror, 2021)
Please Click the Link Below to Read the Entire Article in the Mirror:
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How does the Lucas County Children Services help our youth that are aging out of our foster care system?
Please click the link below to see this important article:
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Volunteer Inquiry:
You will receive a copy of your Volunteer Inquiry form at the email address you specified above!
Advisory Board Members
Sarah and Jim Otis, 1311 River Road, Maumee, Ohio 43537
Love and Luggage
ssotis@bex.net
Love and Luggage is a program of Adopt America Network, Toledo, Ohio