Pillowcases 4 Love

Hi, my name is Julie. I started a project to create soft, snuggly pillowcases for children who are going through a very difficult time - in shelters, hospitals, court systems, and elsewhere. Some of these children are grieving the death of a parent, some are homeless, some are trying to heal from a complicated illness, some are seeking asylum with their families, some can no longer live at home due to domestic violence...its a long list.

Each pillowcase has a tag that says "you are loved." One friend referred to the pillowcases as "little life rafts" that the child can take with them on their journey, and I think that is an appropriate description.

Since the start of this project over a year ago, we have grown to include Mathew (a beautiful pillowcase maker), to making receiving blankets for mothers with newborns, and to provide pillowcases to the elderly (another very vulnerable population). And, the number of venues we deliver to has tripled!

The pillowcases and receiving blankets have been created for children, mothers, and seniors in nine different shelters / organizations thus far:

Esperanza Shelter

Youth Heartline

Gerard's House

Consuelo's Place

Christus St Vincent Hospital Pediatrics Unit

MEG Senior Center

Colores United

Unitarian Universalist Silver City Fellowship

Border Partners.

During their visit or stay, each person receives a pillowcase to use and then take with them on their journey. It is a small but powerful reminder that they are loved and not alone. We are all interconnected in our shared humanity.

Each pillowcase costs about $7 in materials. All labor is volunteer! To date we have made and distributed nearly 1200 pillowcases!! Imagine the smiles and joy so many have experienced in receiving a fun, vibrant reminder that they are cherished...and something to call their very own.

Your support and contributions allow us to continue this important work. For more info visit my website: JulieHliboki. Thanks so much for your consideration!!