Our Programs
Shelter Parties
Birthday celebrations at area shelters and housing or program facilities serving homeless children and families.
This program brings the simple childhood joy of birthday parties to homeless children ages tots to teens-- a first time experience for most--while giving them a sense of recognition and value on their special days, and creating a time of togetherness for families experiencing the challenges of homelessness.
Student Birthdays
Classroom birthday parties for homeless elementary students, and Party-In-A-Bag kits for homeless middle school students and their families. These children do not live in area shelters but rather in motels, campgrounds, and other transient situations. All student birthday packages also include care essentials and a blanket.
For homeless elementary students, a classroom birthday party helps boost confidence and empowers each child by giving them an opportunity to be givers in a peer environment while celebrating their special days. For homeless middle school students, our Party-In-A-Bag program offers an opportunity to lift spirits, promote positive self esteem, and strengthen family bonds during times of hardship. Read more
Blessing Baskets
A basket full of new care-essentials and gifts to welcome and support the arrival of homeless babies.
Imagine leaving the hospital with your newborn and taking your child "home" to a shelter. Or arriving to an emergency shelter with nothing more than a small bag of personal items and a baby on the way. Blessing Baskets bring help and hope to needy mothers while providing a healthy and positive start to life for homeless babies. A very special BIRTHday program. Read more
Shelter Party Program
As the founding program of Birthday Blessings, our Shelter Party Program continues to bring birthday joy and recognition every month to homeless children at shelters or housing/program facilities across the greater Charlotte area. Children and families at the shelters are invited to the parties and those with birthdays in that month are celebrated. Birthday Blessings parties typically include:
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Meal & beverages
Meal & beverages•Party supplies and decorations
Party supplies and decorations•Cake & juice
Cake & juice•Party activities/special programs
Party activities/special programs•Birthday presents
Birthday presents•Goodie bags for all of the children
Goodie bags for all of the childrenParty themes include a wide variety of hands-on educational and enrichment activities, bringing experiences to children of all ages who might otherwise not have access to such programs.
Interested in participating? Our Adopt-a-Party program is a great way to offer your support! Click here to learn MORE about getting involved.
Student Birthdays Program
In partnership with A Child's Place, Birthday Blessings provides birthday parties and gifts for homeless students across Charlotte-Mecklenburg elementary and middle schools. These school children are not living in the same homeless shelters that we serve but rather in motels, campgrounds, or other transient arrangements. Our Student Birthday Program brings recognition and cheer, while promoting confidence, for homeless youth who are experiencing the most desperate living situations of all.
For most of these children this is the only “real” birthday celebration they will have, and for many it will be a first-time experience.
Elementary School Classroom Parties
This anonymous program boosts self esteem and empowers homeless elementary students by giving them an opportunity to be givers in a peer environment while celebrating their special days. Birthday students receive special snack bags and party supplies to celebrate at school with classmates.
How does it work?
Every month, Birthday Blessings volunteers assemble and deliver classroom party packages for 25-30 homeless elementary students who will be celebrating their birthdays. This anonymous program helps ensure the privacy of each student's living situation among peers. Birthday Blessings volunteers deliver the party supplies and gifts to school social workers who then take the party packs to appropriate teachers so that the children can have birthday parties in class with their friends.
What is provided with each classroom party package?
Every birthday student receives the following:
•24 party snack bags each filled with cookies, juice, favors, and a lollipop (NO peanut products, please)
24 party snack bags each filled with cookies, juice, favors, and a lollipop (NO peanut products, please)•Birthday snack plates and napkins
Birthday snack plates and napkins•A special gift bag with several small presents and a few necessities (toiletries, blanket) to take with them at the end of the day
A special gift bag with several small presents and a few necessities (toiletries, blanket) to take with them at the end of the dayMiddle School Party-In-A-Bag kits
In response to the continued rise in homelessness, Birthday Blessings has launched new Party-In-A-Bag program to serve homeless middle school youth and their families. This program provides birthday celebration kits to school social workers so that homeless middle school students can celebrate their birthdays with family members, creating joy and strengthening family bonds during times of hardship.
How does it work?
Every month, Birthday Blessings volunteers assemble and deliver PIAB kits for homeless middle school students who will be celebrating their birthdays. Party packages are delivered directly to school social workers who provide them to students to take at the end of the school day.
What is included with each PIAB pack?
Every birthday student receives a reusable tote bag packed with the following:
•SNACKS: Cans of soda and/or water bottles; Bags of chips, pretzels, or other youth-favorite snacks; Gum and other fun treats
SNACKS: Cans of soda and/or water bottles; Bags of chips, pretzels, or other youth-favorite snacks; Gum and other fun treats•SUPPLIES: Birthday plates, napkins, cups, and plastic utensils; “Happy Birthday” banner, table cover, and a roll of streamers
SUPPLIES: Birthday plates, napkins, cups, and plastic utensils; “Happy Birthday” banner, table cover, and a roll of streamers•CAKE: A birthday loaf cake with a package of candles, and wrapped with festive cellophane & ribbon
CAKE: A birthday loaf cake with a package of candles, and wrapped with festive cellophane & ribbon•GIFTS: Small presents and a few necessities (toiletries; blanket)
GIFTS: Small presents and a few necessities (toiletries; blanket) Want to get involved with our Student Birthday Program?
Click here to learn MORE about volunteer and support opportunities as a Student Birthday Buddy.
Blessing Baskets Program
Blessing Baskets help welcome and celebrate the arrival of homeless babies while supplementing their basic needs. Each laundry basket is filled with baby care essentials and gift items -- tailored to meet the individual needs of the child -- and wrapped with a large pink or blue ribbon & bow.
Blessing Baskets provide an opportunity for homeless mothers to celebrate the arrival of their new infants as they bring their babies "home" to a shelter. Many of these parents are experiencing sadness and anxiety instead of joy and excitement. For families who have recently become homeless and moved into a shelter, the worry and expense of caring for a baby can be overwhelming. Our baskets not only bring happiness and relief to these parents, but they also provide essentials for the care of needy babies, giving each child a healthier and more positive start to life.
How can you help?
Click here to learn MORE about opportunities to help us continue blessing these little ones.
Who We Serve
Birthday Blessings is proud to provide its programs and services to homeless children and families associated with the following facilities and/or community programs in Mecklenburg, Union, Cabarrus, and York counties:
Mecklenburg County, N.C Cabarrus County, N.C.
Cabarrus County, N.C.The Shelter for Battered Women
Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools
Union County, N.C. As resources allow, Birthday Blessings will continue to expand its reach, bringing programs and suport to as many homeless children as possible. Please help us continue to grow with your gift. DONATE today!
“The Birthday Blessings team shows unconditional love to the children. They make the kids feel special, and that’s the one thing all children need.”
Karen Prioleau
Salvation Army Center of Hope
