Our April mission is RAP House (Runaway Alternatives Project). RAP House is a youth crisis shelter serving youth between the ages of 10 and 17. These are youth who have run away from home, are homeless, have been kicked out/locked out by their parent(s) or guardian(s), need short-term respite or crisis placement due to family conflict and/or neglect, or need shelter due to foster home disruption. RAP House's goal is to provide a healthy and safe environment in which to flourish: a nurturing, supportive environment free of drugs and alcohol abuse, and physical, emotional, and/or sexual abuse. Services are provided as part of the Florida Network of Youth & Family Services, Inc., and include 24-hour availability, youth supervision, food and clothing, life skills education, crisis counseling, individual and family counseling, recreation and leisure activities, and case management services.  Educational services are provided by the local school district in Pasco County.  There is no cost to families for these services. So, how can our KUMC family help? RAP House is always in need of supplies and equipment for their youth and their shelter! For the month of April, you can find collection bins in the fellowship hall and in the narthex. Here are some items you can contribute to help:

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• Basic hygiene/clothing supplies: small tubes of toothpaste, toothbrushes, hair brushes/combs, shampoo/conditioner, body wash, deodorant, lotion, towels, wash cloths, new socks, other clothing items

• Bedroom supplies: twin sheets, blankets, pillows, pillow protectors, comforters, posters, wall stickers, decorations, storage containers, mattress covers

• School supplies: backpacks, paper, pencils, pens, highlighters, dividers, binders, notebooks, composition notebooks, test prep books, calculators

• Outdoor recreation supplies: basketballs, volleyballs, footballs, etc.

• Shelter equipment/supplies: paper goods, gift cards/certificates, kitchen supplies, groceries, candy

• Activity assistance: MP3 players, board games, playing cards, arts and crafts supplies, movies (G, PG, PG-13), Wii games, watches, jewelry, makeup, perfume, cologne, anything for birthday/Christmas presents