"HEroller" Initiative receive Huge Donation

Rotary members donated more than $3,000 to the “HEroller” initiative. Twin States News spoke with the founder of the program and Child Protective Services on how significant the donation is.

Lauderdale county’s Youth Court Judge Lisa Howell started the “HEroller” program to provide foster children with a suitcase during their transitions to new homes.

“I reached out to Child Protective Services and asked what at this point is your biggest need?”, said Judge Howell. “They said that children were going into custody without suitcases and they were having to pack in garbage bags. So, children were packing and carrying their luggage to the car, basically their garbage bags.”

Social worker supervisor of CPS Shenise Smith says that there are more than 160 children that are currently in child protective services. Having an item like a suitcase to carry their items impacts children hugely.

“It helps with their self-esteem, their image. They take pride in things”, said Smith. “When you have something nice that you can put your clothes in you have a sense of pride. It helps with self-identity as well. So, this will increase the mental health awareness of a child versus lugging around garbage bags.”

Rotary club president-elect, Tom Kendall, says that the club is thrilled that they can help so many children. The club presented $3,411 to CPS.

"This is outstanding. When Judge Lisa Howell talked to us a couple of months ago and talked about the "Herollers" program. We matched it and applied for a district grant from Rotary. Not only did they match it, but they also went above what we usually do, and we are just thrilled we are able to help the foster children of our area. Just really excited about the whole program”, stated Kendall.

Shenise Smith says that child protective services are also in great need of foster homes.