“Claire’s Comfort for Kids”, was created by Claire Helmen, daughter of ICADV Program Services Director Linda Olvey, when she was a 7th grade student at Saint Thomas Aquinas School. Having observed her mother’s work with victims of domestic violence, Claire wanted to find a way to help children who are often victims of trauma. “Claire’s Comfort for Kids”, in collaboration with the Indiana Coalition Against Domestic Violence, provides blankets to first responder patrol officers, who can offer them to children when they are called in to assist those involved in traumatic situations such as domestic abuse, auto accidents, fires, separation from parents, etc. Claire hopes that these blankets will provide children comfort and a sense of security. This project would not have been possible without the vision and financial support of Junior Achievement of Indianapolis, who designated “Claire’s Comfort for Kids” as their 2008 Summer Biz Camp project, producing over 500 blankets for Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Officers. Claire was honored as the Ernst and Young’s 2008 Youth Entrepreneur of the Year, thanks to Junior Achievement’s gracious sponsorship. Recently named as a runner up in Lt. Governor Becky Skillman’s Rising Star Awards in 2010, Claire has also been chosen as a winner of the Indianapolis Children’s Museum’s 2010 esteemed Power of Children Award, recognizing youth as role models who exemplify an extraordinary commitment to public service and social responsibility.
“Claire’s Comfort for Kids”, has also been the recipient of financial support by the Indianapolis Colts, and is now starting chapters across the state of Indiana, primarily targeting youth groups who wish to ‘give back’ to their communities as well.
For more information, or if you are interested in supporting this worthy project, please contact Linda Olvey at 317-917-3685 or email Linda at lolvey@icadvinc.org.
