HOW WE HELP
Environmental Safety:
WAVES 4 K.I.D.S. helps to pay for pest control and home safety needs.
*Pest control services provided to families receiving In-Home Services create a safe home environment so they can keep their child at home.
*The home of a relative willing to take in a child was too close to water. WAVES 4 K.I.D.S. paid to have a fence installed so they could become a Kinship Placement family.
Medical/Mental Health:
WAVES 4 K.I.D.S. helps pay for expenses not reimbursed by Medicaid or private insurance.
*A young child living with a grandparent was able to have several therapy sessions which she would not have had otherwise.
*An infant received a special “helmet” to protect the head as his skull was not forming properly. If untreated it would put the child at risk for neurological damage. Medicaid would not pay for the “helmet” unless the infant also underwent surgery.
Socialization/Summer Enrichment:
WAVES 4 K.I.D.S. helps to pay for summer camps, art and dance lessons and sports participation.
*Summer camp provided the opportunity for a youth transitioning from one foster home to another to spend time with positive social peers and maintain stability.
*A young teen in foster care was saving money to buy a kayak so he could go fishing. His determination was noticed by his social worker and Guardian ad Litem volunteer who requested WAVES purchase the kayak and have him use his money to buy the safety equipment he needed. WAVES bought the kayak and the teen followed through on his commitment and according to his social worker is now “living the kayak life like a pro".
Placement Stabilization:
WAVES 4 K.I.D.S. is part of the support system helping kids while also supporting their families for specific needs not provided through public funds.
*Kids Kloset provides Pack-N-Plays, car seats, diapers, food and clothes gift cards, infant supplies, hygiene supplies & other items often needed for emergency placements.
*Beds and mattresses were purchased for two children placed with a relative who did not have any extra beds and mattresses available for the children.
WAVES 4 K.I.D.S. provides kids with new backpacks, as well as school supplies for the year, to help them feel normal at school.
Gift Cards:
WAVES 4 K.I.D.S. provides gift cards in emergency situations for food, clothing, and gas for medical appointments and job interviews.
Scholarships:
WAVES 4 K.I.D.S. awards scholarships to students who meet eligibility requirements, including financial need, for college or other post-high school educational/training programs. Awards are renewed if students continue to meet scholarship requirements. Since 2012 nearly $169,000 in scholarships has been awarded.
*Two North Brunswick High School graduates have received $3000 per year for their freshman and sophomore years at UNC Charlotte.
*A South Brunswick High School graduate is attending UNC-Greensboro and another South Brunswick graduate is attending East Carolina University. Their scholarships provide $3000 per year for four years.