W.W. Smith Charitable Trust awards $20,000 grant for new clothes and shoes for youth

The W.W. Smith Charitable Trust announced its continued support of ChildPromise, Inc. (formerly Baptist Children’s Services) by awarding a generous grant of $20,000 to provide new clothing, shoes and other apparel for homeless youth.

“The Trustees of the W. W. Smith Charitable Trust reviewed Baptist Children’s Services’ proposal and approved a one-year grant for $20,000” states Michelle Montgomery, Grant Administrator at the Trust, which is based in West Conshohocken. “We are pleased to take an active role toward [the] agency’s successful endeavors,” added Ms. Montgomery.

Through the Will of William Wikoff Smith, the W. W. Smith Charitable Trust was established in 1977. Mrs. Mary L. Smith serves as a Trustee and oversees the Trust’s mission to fund projects and programs of non-profit or ganizations from Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Montgomery and Philadelphia counties, as well as the City of Camden, New Jersey.

“We are grateful that the Trustees embrace the merits of providing basic needs, particularly clothing for homeless youth,” stated Cheryl Barber, Development Director at Baptist Children’s Services. “Clothing is a need that many of us take for granted. But 13 to 18 year olds in foster care, kinship care, congregate care, or an emergency shelter can only hope that his or her need for new clothes, new shoes, a warm coat, pajamas, or a supply of underwear, will be provided,” Ms. Barber added.

Baptist Children’s Services was established as the Baptist Orphanage of Philadelphia in 1879. Today, the Agency provides group home and emergency shelter services to nearly 500 youths annually. Programming includes tutoring, recreation, medical and dental health care, fitness, nutrition, life skills, and counseling. “The mission to help displaced youngsters is not impossible – just costly,” said BCS Executive Director, Larry Buchholz. “Services are provided 7 days a week, 365 days a year. Approximately 20 to 25% of the cost of care must be raised through contributions and grants, so we are extremely grateful to the W. W. Smith Charitable Trust for helping us to meet the clothing needs of our youth in the coming year.”