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Birthparent Services

Holiday Assistance Program

Holiday Assistance Program

Holiday Assistance Program

Application for Assistance

WE ARE NOW ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS FOR THE 2026 HOLIDAY ASSISTANCE PROGRAM THROUGH NOVEMBER 10th

Shared Journeys understands that the holidays can be chaotic and stressful, especially when experiencing financial hardship. We hope to ease some of the stress and worry by providing gifts for a few of our families, including the children you have placed.

Please fill out the application below so we have all of the information we need for your child(ren)’s holiday gifts. We hope to make this holiday season even more special for your family!

 

Guidelines

Before you apply

Please take a few minutes to read through the details below before you fill out your application. If you have any questions, we’re happy to help! Reach out to Jennifer Adams, Director of Case Management.

Who can apply

  • You can apply for gifts for up to 4 children. Each child can receive up to $25, with a total of $100 per applicant.
  • You are welcome to apply for children you have placed, children you are parenting, or both. There is no age limit.
  • If you are not parenting, you are still eligible to apply for a gift for the children you placed.
  • Priority goes to birthparents who are actively involved with Shared Journeys (formerly On Your Feet Foundation) programs, so please tell us a little about how you’re connected.
  • If you received holiday assistance in the past, you are still welcome to apply. New applicants are considered first.

What to include

  • The names and ages of the children, gift ideas, mailing addresses, and a gift message.
  • Please complete the whole application. We’re not able to consider incomplete applications.
  • Applications are open through November 10th. We can’t consider applications received after that date.

How gifts are sent

  • Gifts are mailed directly to the recipient and will not be wrapped.
  • Please double-check that every address can receive Amazon deliveries. Shared Journeys can’t be responsible for packages that are lost, stolen, or returned because of an incorrect or incomplete address, or for missed deliveries. We will do our best to share expected delivery dates with you.
  • We’ll do everything we can to get gifts there in time for the holidays, but we can’t guarantee it.
  • Requests with U.S. mainland addresses are our best fit. We’ll accept requests from outside the continental U.S., but can’t promise we’ll be able to fulfill them.

How we choose

  • Assistance is based on financial need. We give preference to people who haven’t received holiday assistance before.
  • If you have already received $300 or more in holiday assistance from On Your Feet Foundation or Shared Journeys, you are not eligible, unless your financial situation has changed a lot since then (for example, a loss of income or of a spouse).
  • A member of our case management team may reach out for a quick conversation to learn more about your needs and your connection to our programs. This conversation is part of the process, so please be sure to respond if we contact you.
  • Case managers will review applications, with guidance from our Executive Director. We’ll be in touch by December 1st to let you know if you were selected, or if we have any questions.

One last thing

  • After your gifts are sent, we’ll ask you to fill out a short evaluation.
  • We may share non-identifying parts of applications in our marketing materials and on social media.
Holiday Assistance Program Application
First Name *
Last Name *
Country
Address Line 1 *
Address Line 2
City *
State/Province *
Postal Code *
Information for Child #1:
First Name *
Last Name *
Country
Address Line 1 *
Address Line 2
City *
State/Province *
Postal Code *
This is the address where the gift should be mailed. If you plan to deliver the gift yourself, please input your mailing address.
Please indicate if you are parenting this child or if this is a child who you placed:
Wish List (Include links to specific items on Amazon. ex. games, toys, books, clothing, etc). Please include sizes if requesting clothing or shoes. List up to 3 items.
Please include a gift message:
Information for Child #2:
First Name
Last Name
Country
Address Line 1
Address Line 2
City
State/Province
Postal Code
This is the address where the gift should be mailed. If you plan to deliver the gift yourself, please input your mailing address.
Please indicate if you are parenting this child or if this is a child who you placed:
Wish List (ex. games, toys, books, clothing, etc). Please include sizes if requesting clothing or shoes. List up to 3 items.
Please include a gift message:
Information for Child #3:
First Name
Last Name
Country
Address Line 1
Address Line 2
City
State/Province
Postal Code
Please indicate if you are parenting this child or if this is a child who you placed:
Wish List (ex. games, toys, books, clothing, etc). Please include sizes if requesting clothing or shoes. List up to 3 items.
Please include a gift message:
Information for Child #4:
First Name
Last Name
Country
Address Line 1
Address Line 2
City
State/Province
Postal Code
Please indicate if you are parenting this child or if this is a child who you placed:
Wish List (ex. games, toys, books, clothing, etc). Please include sizes if requesting clothing or shoes. List up to 3 items.
Please include a gift message:
By checking this box, I confirm that I have read and accept the grant guidelines as detailed above.
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