Berrien County teens support people experiencing homelessness this holiday season

T.E.A.M. members show off the care packages made for Emergency Shelter Services clients. The packages included blankets, games, gloves, water bottles and personal hygiene items. T.E.A.M. is Berrien Community Foundation’s youth advisory committee.

Berrien Community Foundation

T.E.A.M. members Julian Van Plew-Cid, left, a Bridgman High School junior, and Hank Fisbeck, a St. Joseph High School freshman, join forces to make a no-sew blanket for Emergency Shelter Services clients at a recent group meeting.

Berrien Community Foundation

BERRIEN COUNTY, Mich. - A group of Berrien County teens is serving the community this holiday season, stocking care packages with warm and useful items to help residents experiencing homelessness this winter.

Berrien Community Foundation’s T.E.A.M. (Teens Exhibiting Able Minds) group created 20 care packages filled with gloves, water bottles, body wash, lotion and more to donate to people staying with Emergency Shelter Services.

The group also reached out to the Blanket Brigade team to help them make no-sew tie blankets to give to the shelter’s guests.

"This was a great project to get T.E.A.M. in the holiday spirit,” said T.E.A.M. Chair Daniel McKee, a senior at Brandywine High School. "It was nice to interact with fellow T.E.A.M. members and work as a team while learning about all the work Emergency Shelter Services does for their clients. BCF Program Director Susan Matheny explained to us the housing shortage in Berrien County, and we knew we wanted to help people who are displaced in any way we can."

T.E.A.M. is Berrien Community Foundation’s youth advisory committee, comprised of high schoolers from across the county who support philanthropic efforts in the area. Click here to learn more about the group.

Emergency Shelter Services is the first point of contact for homelessness prevention in Berrien County and is the only family shelter in the area. Visit their website for more information.


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