Carry Hope is a community-driven initiative supporting foster youth with comfort bags filled with essentials and encouragement. Every bag reminds a young person that they are valued, cared for, and not alone.
Accepting Donations: Directly fund duffle bags and comfort items for youth.
‘Carry Hope’ Mission & Vision
Each year, thousands of foster youth face placement changes and uncertain circumstances, often transporting their belongings in trash bags or other temporary containers. Carry Hope was created to address this need by providing high-quality duffle bags packed with necessities such as hygiene products, comfort items, and handwritten notes of encouragement from foster adults.
Our goal is to raise enough funds to assemble 50+ quality duffle bags with essential items.
Pack Kindness. Share Hope. Change Futures.
Your donation directly funds the bags and all items within. Any amount helps!
Carry Hope Project Details
Tap a section to learn more!
- Spread the Word
- Comfort Bag Details
- Comfort Card Details
- Bag Assembly Event
- Meet the Co-Chairs
- Meet the Committee
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Spread the word! Carry Hope is community-funded, and every share helps. Tap the graphic to download and share with friends, family, and social media. Please include our website link in your posts: www.JCISantaClarita.org/CarryHope Our fundraising deadline is August 31st! |
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Each Carry Hope comfort bag will include essential items while leaving about 80-90% of the bag available for personal belongings. If donations and space allow, we’ll also add select “nice to have” items. Donation-funded goal items include:
EACH COMFORT BAG INCLUDES:
- 1x Duffle Bag 115L (85L if budget constrained)
- 1x Blanket
- 1x Toiletry Kit
- 1x JCI Journal
- 1x Positivity Booklet
- 1x Compass/Whistle/Flashlight Combo-Tool
NICE TO HAVE
- Chubby Blob Seal Pillow
- Metal Water Bottle
- Stress Ball
- Backpack
- Bag Tag
Note: Items subject to change based on received support.
Each Carry Hope comfort bag will include one or more Comfort Cards. These are handwritten cards from adults who have experienced the foster system or their allies (like you!). If you’d like to write a card offering encouragement, please follow these guidelines carefully. Cards that don’t follow our guidelines will NOT be placed in comfort bags.
You may write as many cards as you’d like and we will distribute them among the bags. Please email us at CarryHope@JCISantaClarita.org to arrange delivery of your card(s) or mail your card(s) to: 23638 Lyons Avenue, #166, Santa Clarita, CA 91321
The comfort bag assembly event is taking place on Wednesday, September 16. The Cub Scout Pack 527 will be present in full force to help assemble each and every bag. The assembly event is CLOSED to the public. However, pictures/videos will be taken, so follow JCI Santa Clarita on social media for updates!
Who is steering this ship? Co-chairs Kyle Duffy and Arnold Bryant! Here is what they had to say on their inspiration for “Carry Hope” and what this event means to them and foster youth.
Kyle: “While I was not a foster child, I received backpacks and school supplies from programs like this. At the time, I didn’t know they came from the generosity of my community; I just knew they made me feel cared for, and having something of my own meant everything. Carry Hope gives kids entering the foster system that same reminder: they are loved, seen, and not forgotten in the middle of fear, uncertainty, and change. With each duffle bag, card, and essential item, they can carry hope with them wherever they go.”
Arnold: “As a former foster youth, JCI Carry Hope is deeply personal to me because every child deserves to feel valued, respected, and hopeful, especially during some of the most difficult moments of their lives. Our goal is to provide more than just essential items; we want to remind these young people that they are not forgotten, that their circumstances do not define them, and that an entire community is rooting for their success.”The real magic happens because a group of outstanding individuals have a shared passion for change. Meet the committee behind the scenes of “Carry Hope” and what this event means to them and foster youth.
Anita Singh – Fundraising Coordinator Lead: “Carry Hope is important to Anita because every young person entering foster care deserves to know that their community is prepared to support them. Through fundraising, she helps turn generosity into practical resources that can provide comfort, stability, and dignity during an uncertain transition. Her work on the committee reflects a commitment to ensuring that foster youth receive more than essential items—they receive a clear reminder that they are valued and not forgotten.”
Katie Simpson – Scouts of America Liaison / Fundraising Coordinator: “Katie believes Carry Hope demonstrates what can happen when community organizations unite around a shared purpose. By connecting volunteers, supporters, and young leaders with the needs of foster youth, she helps create meaningful opportunities for service and generosity. Her involvement reflects the belief that even a simple act of preparation and care can help a young person feel supported during a difficult period of change.”
Tiana Bradley – Public Relations & Communications : “Carry Hope is important to Tiana because awareness is essential to building lasting community support for foster youth. Through public relations and communications, she helps share the mission, explain the need, and encourage others to become involved. Her role on the committee helps ensure that the experiences and needs of foster youth remain visible and that the community understands how collective action can make a tangible difference.”
Alex Hafizi – Marketing & Communication: “I joined the JCI Santa Clarita Carry Hope Committee because I believe every foster youth deserves dignity, hope, and to know their community cares. Carry Hope is about more than providing duffle bags. It’s about reminding children they are valued, supported, and never alone. I also hope this program inspires foster youth to find community, purpose, and future leadership opportunities through JCI Santa Clarita.”
Lindsey James – Quality Assurance & Logistics Coordinator: “Carry Hope is important to Lindsey because thoughtful preparation can provide foster youth with a greater sense of dignity, comfort, and stability. Through quality assurance and logistics, she helps ensure that every donated item is carefully organized and that each duffle bag is prepared with consistency and care. Her work reflects the belief that the details matter, especially when serving young people during moments of uncertainty and transition.”
Kari McCoy – 29th JCI President: “Kari believes Carry Hope represents JCI Santa Clarita’s commitment to creating sustainable, community-driven impact. By supporting foster youth with essential items and messages of encouragement, the project brings volunteers, businesses, and local partners together around a meaningful cause. Her involvement reflects the belief that leadership includes mobilizing others to serve and ensuring that vulnerable young people know their community recognizes their worth and potential.”SPONSORSHIP PACKAGES
Help us make a difference. Click any package to open the sign-up form.
PACKED WITH CARE
Silver Tier
- Fully tax-deductible
- Community Impact Content for Brand Image
- Logo on CarryHope Website (1 Year)
- Social Media Blast: Logo + Text
- Half-Page in 8×10 Positivity Booklet
- Logo in Santa Clarita Magazine Carry Hope Press Release
PACKED WITH HOPE
Gold Tier
- Fully tax-deductible
- Community Impact Content for Brand Image
- Dominant Logo on CarryHope Website + Description Text (1 Year)
- Social Media Blast: Logo + Text + Link
- Full-Page in 8×10 Positivity Booklet
- Logo+Text in Santa Clarita Magazine Carry Hope Press Release
- Packing Night: Picture of Company Representative with a Bag
PACKED WITH PROMISE
Bronze Tier
- Fully tax-deductible
- Community Impact Content for Brand Image
- Minor Logo on CarryHope Website (1 Year)
- Social Media Blast: By Logo Only
PACKED WITH HOPE
Gold Tier
- Fully tax-deductible
- Community Impact Content for Brand Image
- Dominant Logo on CarryHope Website + Description Text (1 Year)
- Social Media Blast: Logo + Text + Link
- Full-Page in 8×10 Positivity Booklet
- Logo+Text in Santa Clarita Magazine Carry Hope Press Release
- Packing Night: Picture of Company Representative with a Bag
PACKED WITH CARE
Silver Tier
- Fully tax-deductible
- Community Impact Content for Brand Image
- Logo on CarryHope Website (1 Year)
- Social Media Blast: Logo + Text
- Half-Page in 8×10 Positivity Booklet
- Logo in Santa Clarita Magazine Carry Hope Press Release
PACKED WITH PROMISE
Bronze Tier
- Fully tax-deductible
- Community Impact Content for Brand Image
- Minor Logo on CarryHope Website (1 Year)
- Social Media Blast: By Logo Only
NOT INTERESTED IN SPONSORSHIP?
That’s ok, donate! It’s the fastest way to make a difference.
Our Sponsors / Partners
They believe in this mission as much as you do!
Financial North
Financial North Partners helps individuals and families build stronger financial futures through thoughtful, personalized planning and guidance. Their support of Carry Hope reflects a shared belief that every young person, including youth in foster care, deserves stability, opportunity, and a stronger foundation for the future. LEARN MORE
Cub Scout Pack 527
Cub Scout Pack 527 gives young people opportunities to develop leadership, teamwork, and a commitment to serving their community through hands-on activities and service projects. For Carry Hope, Pack 527 Scouts and their families are putting those values into action by helping pack duffel bags filled with essentials, comfort, and encouragement for local foster youth. LEARN MORE
California Jaycee Foundation
The California Jaycee Foundation empowers young community leaders to serve those in need while strengthening the well-being of disadvantaged families throughout our community. Through its support of Carry Hope, the Foundation helps ensure foster youth receive compassion, resources, and encouragement as they navigate some of life’s most difficult transitions. LEARN MORE
We’re In The News!
Who is talking about us? Click to learn more.
KHTS / iLead / Eye On The Valley
Live in studio, Eye On The Valley returns with your host, Matt Watson, as he interviews co-chairs Arnold Bryant and Kyle Duffy about their new project to help foster youth, Carry Hope.
Daily Buzz: Episode 160, 7-9-26
The show welcomes Kyle Duffy and Arnold Bryant from JCI to detail their “Carry Hope” initiative for foster youth. Tune in to the 2hr and 33 minute mark to watch the full interview: Link
Santa Clarita Magazine
JCI Santa Clarita launches “Carry Hope” An Inaugural Event Supporting Foster Youth Through Life’s Transitions.
The Signal
JCI Santa Clarita is launching its inaugural community outreach event, “Carry Hope,” an initiative designed to provide foster youth with a sense of dignity, comfort and belonging during times of transition, the organization announced in a news release.
KHTS Hometown Station
JCI Santa Clarita proudly announces its inaugural community outreach event, “Carry Hope” a heartfelt initiative designed to provide foster youth with a sense of dignity, comfort, and belonging during times of transition.
SCV TV - NEWS
Through the distribution of thoughtfully assembled duffle bags filled with essential items and messages of encouragement, “Carry Hope” seeks to remind young people in foster care that they are seen, valued and supported.
Questions?
For more information or to get involved as a donor or sponsor, please contact us directly using the form below or at CarryHope@JCISantaClarita.org
Why JCI?
JCI Santa Clarita, a chapter of the Junior Chamber International—a global nonprofit organization of young active citizens—is spearheading this project to strengthen community ties while promoting individual growth. The event also serves as a platform for JCI members to gain leadership experience, foster community relationships, and champion a healthier, more connected Santa Clarita.
Want to Join JCI Santa Clarita?
The Jaycees are part of an international organization with nearly 200,000 young active citizens, ages 18-40, and over five million alumni – including several world leaders. Local non-profit JCI chapters are spread over more than 5,000 local communities and over 100 countries around the world. JCI members are proud of the impact they create around the world. The sense of belonging and responsibility is what leads to the growth of the organization worldwide.
Junior Chamber International Santa Clarita, or JCI Santa Clarita, provides opportunities to improve business skills, networking, perform community service, and participate in fun social events. Making a difference is more fun when you're doing it with friends.