A Space of My Own (A Space) is the signature project of the Junior League of DeKalb County (JLD). A Space began in 2002 as a JLD placement that provided twin size bedding, radio alarm clocks and various supplies to children residing in designated DeKalb County foster care shelters. The goal of the project is to provide children in the foster care system, who may be moved around to a number of different homes or facilities, with their own possessions that will become familiar and comfortable to them, and that they can take as they move to other locations.
Through A Space, the JLD strives to provide a small measure of certainty to children who are faced with the upheaval of foster care. The children come to the A Space store where they are paired with their personal shopper, a JLD volunteer. The child, along with the help of the volunteer, picks out his or her own comforter, sheet set, alarm clock and stuffed animals. The shopping trip for each child also includes juice, a snack and activities to participate in with other JLD volunteers. If you ask any JLD member who has volunteered for an A Space shift, it is a rewarding day of service.
A Space is housed in a church located near downtown Decatur, in close proximity to a MARTA station, making it accessible to all residents of DeKalb County foster care. The JLD is focused on developing A Space into a program that will provide services to all children residing in DeKalb County foster care: both those children who reside in DeKalb County shelters as well as children who reside in private DeKalb County foster care homes.
This year, A Space will begin to implement a long range plan to grow A Space so that the JLD can provide for more services to help meet the needs of foster children. A Space will expand to other bedding sizes this year as we open our doors to private foster families as well as to those children residing in shelters.
In 2007, over 200 DeKalb County foster children shopped at A Space; it was our busiest year ever! A $50.00 donation provides a room for a child with a comforter, sheet set, alarm clock and stuffed animals.
For more information about A Space of My Own, contact aspace@jldekalb.org.
Volunteering for A Space
