In 1969 Judge Elizabeth Bass Golding founded Hope For Youth to put an end to unnecessary institutionalization of a "person in need of supervision" (PINS). Today, Hope For Youth provides various types of family group homes and foster care homes to hundreds of children annually in Nassau and Suffolk counties. Eventually, the children leave for a more permanent setting to call home.

All too often, the children at Hope For Youth arrive with all of their worldly possessions packed in a plastic garbage bag. Eventually these children will leave Hope For Youth's residential programs, either for a foster home, a return to their biological home or even for college. Regardless of where the children are going when they depart, it is hoped they would be better off in every way and with their clothing and possessions in luggage, not plastic bags.

The children range in age from six months to 21 years. Hope For Youth is one of two New York State organizations providing a Family Ties program wherein large sibling groups removed from their biological home remain together in one HFY group home. All of the HFY group homes and foster care homes provide the least restrictive environment, which are culturally sensitive, professionally staged and which are adapted to meet the changing needs of the clients and communities we serve.

Luggage can be dropped off at: Hope For Youth, 201 Dixon Ave., Amityville. For additional information, contact Susan Lane at 631- 782-6540 or visit www.hfyny.org