Make a Difference this Holiday Season: Host a My First Home Mini Drive!

The Holidays are for giving, sharing and creating memories!

This year, why not take the spirit of giving to the next level by coordinating a “Just in Time for Foster Youth – My First Home Mini Drive” with your colleagues, friends, or community group? Not only can you make a tangible difference in the lives of young adults transitioning out of foster care, but you’ll also strengthen bonds within your group while experiencing the deep joy that comes from helping others.

Why Host a Mini Drive?

When young adults age out of foster care, they face the daunting task of starting their adult lives with little to no support. Just in Time for Foster Youth (JIT) steps in to provide critical resources to help them establish a stable, successful future. A critical first step? A safe and comfortably furnished apartment.

My First Home is JIT’s flagship service equipping youth with essential items like beds to sleep in, tables to eat at, kitchenware to cook with, and décor to create a space they can truly call their own – a space they are proud to share with friends and build community in.

By organizing a mini drive, you can collect items or funds to support this service while rallying your community around a meaningful cause. Imagine the impact you could have as you and your group come together to empower foster youth to thrive.

How to Get Started!

Form Your Team: Bring together a group of friends, family, or colleagues who are passionate about making a difference.

Collect Items: Collect key household items (kitchenware, lamps, toasters, microwaves, vacuums, bedding, cleaning supplies, etc.) to help transition age foster youth set up their first homes! Check our Target Registry to see the items that are needed most!

We also collect gift cards in all amounts to locations such as Walmart, Target and grocery stores so that JIT can provide Basic Needs/Emergency assistance when young people are facing critical situations.

To host a mini-drive, please contact the My First Home Team at myfirsthome@jitfosteryouth.org or call 619.657.6954 .

Giving is Better Than Receiving

Giving has profound benefits—not just for the recipient but also for the giver. Helping others activates areas of the brain associated with pleasure and connection, often referred to as the “helper’s high.” Knowing that your efforts contribute to someone’s success and happiness can bring a sense of fulfillment that no material gift can match.

Coordinating a mini drive requires collaboration, communication, and creativity—all skills that strengthen relationships. Whether you’re brainstorming how to collect items, working together to promote the drive, or celebrating the impact you’ve made, these shared experiences create lasting memories.

Even more importantly, working together for a cause fosters a sense of purpose and unity. You’re not just collecting items—you’re transforming lives. This shared mission can inspire everyone involved to think bigger, connect more deeply, and appreciate the value of teamwork.