LAFAYETTE, La. - The U.S. Attorney’s Office, joined by U.S. Courts in Lafayette and Shreveport, donated 45 bags last week as part of the “Duffle Bag Drive" for children in foster care hosted by the Department of Children and Family Services and Townsquare Media.
The duffle bags, sports bags, backpacks and suitcases collected during the drive will give foster children something to carry their belongings in when moving from one home to another. There are more than 400 children in foster care in our area. Of the 45 bags donated, four were suitcases, 20 were duffle bags, 10 were backpacks and 11 were other assorted bags. The bags were delivered to the Department of Children and Family Services office in Lafayette last week.
“I’m grateful to the members of our staff and members of the U.S. Courts who participated in this drive," Finley stated. “This donation will make a foster child’s life a little easier when transitioning to a new home, which also assists the Department of Children and Family Services with their mission."
According to the Louisiana Department of Children and Family Services, Foster care is a protective service intended to provide temporary care for children who must live apart from their parents because of child abuse, neglect or special family circumstances requiring the need for out-of-home care. The first goal of foster care is to reunite the child with his or her biological family; however, adoption of the child may be the outcome. To find out more about becoming a foster parent, visit www.dcfs.la.gov/foster or call 1-888-524-3578.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office is active with community outreach, to include educating youth in middle schools and high schools on social media and cyberbullying, mentoring high school and college students during back-to-school and career day events, supporting law enforcement during National Night Out events, serving meals during Thanksgiving at St. Joseph Diner, participating in events such as the Alzheimers’ Walk and Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure, and hosting annual drives for Coats for Kids, Dress for Success and Feds Feed Families.
Finley is the first female U.S. Attorney to serve in Louisiana. She was selected by President Barack Obama in January of 2010, after being recommended by U.S. Senator Mary Landrieu, and confirmed by the U.S. Senate in June of 2010. United States Attorney Finley was sworn into office on June 2, 2010, to serve as the Western District of Louisiana’s chief law enforcement officer for 42 of the 64 parishes in the state. In addition to her duties as the U.S. Attorney, Finley is a Lieutenant Colonel in the U.S. Air Force and currently serves as Co-Chair of the U.S. Attorney’s Office of Management and Budget Committee.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
