“Imagine being removed from your home at a moment’s notice, without time to gather your thoughts or belongings and told that your parents can no longer take care of you. Thousands of foster children face this reality every year and blame themselves for a life they do not deserve.”

With more than 11,000 foster children under the care of the Department of Human Services, Oregon ranks third highest in the country. 19% of foster youth age out of the system, one-fifth are homeless and only 3% graduate from college. Throughout their lives, 24% of people who grew up in foster care never hold a job, and one-in-four experience post-traumatic stress disorder. Children are often moved to foster care due to neglect, and once in the foster care system life can continue to be chaotic. These kids may not have the opportunity to obtain basic necessities like new, well-fitting clothing and shoes or school supplies. Foster youth often struggle to feel confident which can impact their relationships with peers and hinder their ability to plan for their future.

Project Lemonade was created to help these kids turn lemons into lemonade by providing a free store, internship programs, and their WISH program. Project Lemonade was founded by a group of caring and compassionate community members whose goal was to send foster youth back-to-school with self-esteem and confidence, knowing they looked just like every other kid on the playground. In one month Project Lemonade served 1,000 kids. With community support this pop-up became permanent and now operates year-round from a retail store. More than 14,000 foster kids have been served.

Project Lemonade retail store

In addition to a full summer back-to-school shopping schedule, Project Lemonade provides year-round services for youth entering care, changing homes, or as referred by the caseworker. When foster youth arrive, they receive a “shopping list” which, along with the store’s “personal shoppers,” guides them through categories to select jackets, denim, sweaters, t-shirts, shoes, and accessories including backpacks and books. Each youth receives new underwear and socks, two of the most coveted items for those under DHS care. These new outfits make them feel confident in the classroom.

Foster the Future internship program

Foster the Future offers a paid, part-time seasonal internship to foster youth. Through hands-on work in the Project Lemonade Store and exposure to corporate career options, Project Lemonade interns gain confidence and build skills. A supportive first job is a critical stepping stone for foster youth. Macy’s, Hotel Monaco, Marshall’s, Elephants Deli, Oregon Fruit Company and more have signed on to hire graduates of the internship program and multiple interns have moved on to work in those companies.

WISH: What Inspires Students’ Hearts

Kids in foster care are often focused on surviving, without the luxury to think about their futures or pursue dreams and goals. The WISH program aims to move foster youth from surviving to thriving by supporting their educational and extracurricular goals. Project Lemonade grants wishes to attend camps, play sports, take lessons and gain skills.

Donate!

Project Lemonade accepts monetary and in-kind donations. Please note that due to COVID, in-kind donations must be new. Styles must be relevant to kids and teens ages 5+ and sizes 4T through adult/teen Plus sizes.

Monetary Donations

🍋 A gift of $20 could provide a backpack or pair of shoes

🍋 A gift of $100 could outfit a youth with a full set of clothes, backpack and shoes

🍋 A gift of $250 could grant a youth a WISH to take ballet lessons or obtain a laptop for distance learning.

🍋 A gift of $500 could grant two youth a WISH to go to camp or outfit a group of foster siblings with new clothes

🍋 Recurring monthly donations provide ongoing sustainability.

In-Kind Donations

🍋 Clothing Items: NEW coats, denim, tops, pants, athletic wear, shorts, sweatshirts (no pajamas or swimsuits, no t-shirts with dates, years, or sports teams.)

🍋 Shoes: NEW in all sizes (Toddler size 13 and up).

🍋 Accessories: NEW backpacks, sports hats, winter hats and beanies, gloves, jewelry.

🍋 Stuffed animals: NEW or LIKE NEW.

🍋 Socks, underwear, bras: NEW ONLY

🍋 Books: NEW and GENTLY USED books relevant to youth ages 5 and through teens

Or, shop directly from Project Lemonade’s Amazon wishlist!