Holiday items collected for young adults aged out of foster care

A holiday gift collection for youth aging out of foster care was organized by Independent Living for Young Adults, a volunteer social action program that serves young adults in Delaware. ILYA’s vision is to help these individuals access the resources and services needed to achieve a fulfilling, successful adulthood and feel connected to a caring community.

The ILYA chapter in Sussex County is affiliated with Unitarian Universalists of Southern Delaware. It provided toys and clothes for the very young children of these young people, with 30 children under 5 years old. ILYA chapters from Kent and New Castle counties provided gift packages for the 140 youth ages 16 to 21. Gifts included a brand-new robe, needed personal care products, hot chocolate and many other items as well as a gift card.

The gifts were all packaged Dec. 5 at First Unitarian Church of Wilmington, and loaded into the cars of the ILYA workers from the Delaware Division of Family Services who will deliver them to each young adult.

Founded by Barbara Crowell, a retired Delaware Family Court judge, ILYA has provided services for youth aging out of foster care in New Castle and Kent counties for 20-plus years, and Unitarian Universalists of Southern Delaware in Lewes is now collaborating with ILYA. 

ILYA services include providing student care packages, apartment furniture in good condition, household necessities, tutoring, emergency grants and loans, and advocacy needed before public bodies. To learn more about Sussex County services, email ILYA@uussd.org.