AUSTIN — The Rainbow Room, operated by Partnerships for Children in Travis County, supplies essential everyday items to children entering foster care. The facility often serves as the initial stop for children after they are removed from their homes due to abuse or neglect.
"We always get little bags of stuffies, toiletries, clothes for three days," Program Coordinator Heather Jewell said. The organization maintains an inventory of specialty items, including ethnic hair care products and lice treatments, based on requests from the community. "I had a caseworker come in today for lice products for a kiddo who's living with their grandmother," Jewell said. "We also try to keep a lot of ethnic hair care products."
Donations and volunteer participation at the facility typically decrease during the summer months. Individuals and families can volunteer at the Rainbow Room location. The organization's current high-priority donation needs include new clothing for all ages, new shoes, hygiene essentials, specialty hair care and lice products, and school supplies.