New York Aims to end Use of Trash Bags for Foster Youth Belongings

For years, the practice of providing foster youth with trash bags to transport their personal belongings has been a stark symbol of neglect and dehumanization. Two new pieces of legislation in New York are seeking to end this practice, aiming to provide every foster child with their own luggage, signaling a nationwide push for child welfare agencies to abolish policies that critics argue humiliate foster youth and diminish their sense of worth.

Diego, now 27, recalls promises of better treatment during his time in foster care, which frequently enough went unfulfilled. “‘If it fit, throw it away. We’ll get new stuff,’” he remembers being told. “But those promises were rarely kept.” This sentiment underscores the disposable feeling many foster children experience.

Legislative Efforts in New York

The proposed state and city bills are designed to ensure that foster children are provided with proper luggage, marking a significant step toward restoring dignity. The state bill would require New York’s Office of Children and Family Services to distribute luggage through each county’s social service agency and submit an annual report to the governor to track progress. State sen. Jabari Brisport, the bill’s sponsor, called his proposed legislation a “common sense” solution.

“Given everything foster youth already go through,” Brisport said, doling out garbage bags “just adds insult to injury.’’ The roughly 13,000 children in New York foster care experience about 23,000 transitions per year, with each child living in an average of three different placements.

Limitations of Current Programs

New York already has a program called the My Bag initiative,launched in 2021,to provide foster youth with duffle bags. Though, critics have noted that its reach is limited. In 2023, onyl 3,500 bags were distributed,and even fewer—roughly 2,700 bags—were allocated in 2024.

Brisport’s bill aims to expand these efforts with increased funding, proposing an annual budget of $200,000. The bill defines “luggage” as:

“a durable suitcase, duffel bag, backpack, or similar reusable container that is new or is in new-like condition, and is designed to hold an individual’s personal belongings and is not a disposable bag, trash bag, or cardboard box.”

It directs agencies to supply these items when foster youth enter the system, move between homes, exit care, or head to college.

The bill’s text emphasizes the importance of personal possessions, stating:

“for many foster children, their possessions are more than just objects; they are symbols of their identity, history, and worth. New York State foster youth deserve better; yet, they currently have no legal guarantee of a dignified transition with the proper luggage that every American uses for everyday travel or transitions.”

National movement

Similar legislation has been successful in other states, including maryland, Texas, Illinois, and oregon. Texas requires its Department of Family and protective Services to record every instance where proper luggage is not provided.

In 2021,Illinois prohibited the use of trash bags,shopping bags,and empty pillowcases. Nonprofits like Pink Lemons have stepped in to donate suitcases, underscoring the profound impact of providing dignity to foster youth.

Founder Sheryl Maria White explained in a 2022 interview:

“Most of the time when a child receives a suitcase the biggest reaction is tears, As it’s a big deal when you’ve never owned anything in your life.”

New York City’s Efforts

New York City, home to nearly 6,500 foster care youth, is also considering legislation requiring the city’s Governance for Children’s Services to provide luggage. Despite its large foster youth population, the city did not receive any bags from the My Bag program in 2023.

“As a foster mom, I know firsthand how degrading it was for my children to carry their belongings in trash bags. … This is unacceptable, and New York City must do better.”

—Rita joseph, New York City Council Member

Council member Rita Joseph, who sponsored the city bill, drew inspiration from her own experience fostering and adopting two children.After taking her sons shopping for suitcases, she made it her mission to address the issue, saying that ending the practice would “symbolize treating foster youth with respect and dignity.’’

Joseph sought advice from Sofie Fashana, a former foster youth who was instrumental in passing similar legislation in Oregon.Fashana noted that resistance frequently enough comes from foster care agencies prioritizing efficiency over emotional well-being. “I hear all the time from foster groups how trash bags are ‘efficient’ and that ‘safety matters,’” Fashana said. “But you’re not prioritizing safety when you’re neglecting emotional safety.”

Fashana, now a policy advocate at the Next100 think tank, recalls the message conveyed by using trash bags: “You’re worth trash.” She emphasizes the relatively low cost of providing dignity, “It’s $15 to give somebody a sense of confidence and a sense of being worth something, and that’s worth fighting for.”

“New York State foster youth deserve better; yet, they currently have no legal guarantee of a dignified transition with the proper luggage that every American uses for everyday travel or transitions.”

—New York State Senate Bill S3781

Personal Impact

Diego, now studying psychology, recalls losing essential items, including his laptop, art supplies, and school scripts, during his frequent moves. “I tried to have a normal life,to do extracurricular activities like the performing arts,’’ he said,“but I coudl never do them because I was moving.” destenie L., 17, a member of one of Albany’s Youth Leadership Councils, remembers the humiliation of using garbage or grocery bags, with her belongings frequently enough falling out. “It’s humiliating,” she said. “I think it’s normalized, and I wanted to make a change.”

The potential passage of these bills represents a critical step towards providing foster youth with the dignity and respect they deserve, ensuring they are seen as individuals worthy of care and consideration.

How can communities work together to ensure that every foster child in new York City receives proper luggage?

Ending the Trash Bag: An Interview on Dignity for Foster Youth in New York

We’re joined today by Sarah Jenkins, Executive director of “Bags of Hope,” a fictional non-profit institution advocating for the rights and dignity of foster youth. Sarah, thank you for being with us.

The Problem: Trash Bags and Foster Care

Archyde: Sarah, for years, the image of foster youth moving their belongings in trash bags has been a troubling one.Can you describe the impact this practice has on these young people?

Sarah Jenkins: Absolutely. Imagine the message it sends: that your belongings, your identity, are disposable, like trash. This is incredibly damaging to a child’s self-worth, especially during a time of immense upheaval. It’s a dehumanizing practice that needs to end.

New York’s Legislative Efforts

Archyde: New York is currently considering legislation to provide proper luggage for foster youth. What are the key components of these bills, and why are they so crucial?

Sarah Jenkins: The proposed state and city bills are crucial. They mandate that foster children be provided with durable suitcases or duffel bags – items that symbolize respect and value. Senator Brisport’s bill, in particular, is meaningful because it aims to ensure sustainable funding and oversight of this initiative. These bills guarantee that every foster child will own luggage that every american uses to travel. It’s not just about the bag; it’s about the message of dignity and belonging it sends.

Limitations of Existing Programs and the Need for Change

Archyde: New York already has a “My Bag” initiative. What are its limitations, and how will this new legislation address them?

Sarah Jenkins: The “My Bag” initiative is a great start, but its reach is limited. The proposed legislation addresses this by considerably increasing funding and ensuring consistent distribution through each county’s social service agency.The annual reporting requirement is also essential for accountability and transparency, ensuring that more foster youth benefit from this simple act of kindness.

A National Movement

archyde: New York isn’t alone in addressing this issue.What are some other states doing to ensure foster youth are treated with dignity when transporting their belongings?

Sarah Jenkins: Exactly. States like Maryland, Texas, and Illinois have already taken steps to ban trash bags and provide proper luggage. Some states, like Texas, are even tracking instances where appropriate luggage isn’t provided to ensure accountability. This shows a growing national consensus that we need to protect the dignity of foster youth. These combined efforts show there is a national movement to end the dehumanization practice of using trash bags for foster youth belongings.

The Cost of Dignity

Archyde: Some may argue that providing luggage is a minor issue compared to the larger challenges within the foster care system. What’s your response to that?

Sarah Jenkins: While it might appear small, providing luggage is incredibly impactful. As Sofie Fashana pointed out, it’s about emotional safety. For a relatively small investment – $15 or $20 for a decent bag – we can significantly boost a child’s confidence and sense of worth. It’s about sending the message that they matter. Plus, its simple practicality of ensuring the safety of belongings like documents, art supplies, or just personal mementos that mean the world to a child. It’s a concrete way to show we care.

Looking Ahead

Archyde: What are the biggest challenges you anticipate in implementing these new laws and ensuring every foster youth receives proper luggage?

Sarah Jenkins: The biggest hurdle will likely be ensuring adequate funding and consistent implementation across the state and city. We need to ensure that the Office of Children and Family Services has the resources to distribute luggage effectively and that local agencies prioritize this initiative. Overcoming potential resistance from those who prioritize efficiency over emotional well-being, as Sofie stated, will also be a challenge. It’s also essential to empower organizations, like Comfort Cases, that can step in.

Archyde: Is there anything you would like to add or a call to action you would like to make?

Sarah Jenkins: Yes, it’s essential to remember that for many foster children, their possessions are more than just objects; they are symbols of their identity, history, and worth.Let’s make a conscious effort to support these efforts and encourage our communities to get involved. If you want to know more about supporting foster youth, you can find more facts through several non-profit organizations’ websites, social media, and donation portals. The most importent thing we can do is advocate for legislation to protect foster youth and ensure implementation measures are put in place so that these simple, common-sense laws are acted upon.

Archyde: Thank you, Sarah, for shedding light on this important issue. One final thought-provoking question for our readers: How can communities rally together to ensure foster children feel valued and supported during transitions?