News Release: 4/15/2026

Gulf Coast Social Services Launches “Pack Their Journey” GiveNOLA Day Campaign During Foster Care Month
NEW ORLEANS, LA — Gulf Coast Social Services (GCSS) is proud to announce the launch of its “Pack Their Journey” GiveNOLA Day campaign, a community fundraising effort to provide suitcases, hygiene essentials, and critical support for children entering the organization’s Therapeutic Foster Care program while also recruiting new foster parents across Louisiana. The campaign launches as May is recognized nationally as Foster Care Month, a time to raise awareness of the needs of children in care and the families who support them.

GiveNOLA Day, hosted annually by the Greater New Orleans Foundation, is a regional online giving event that encourages people to support local nonprofits making a difference in their communities. Early giving runs from April 28 through May 4, 2026, with GiveNOLA Day taking place on May 5, 2026.

GCSS currently serves 48 children in its Therapeutic Foster Care program across Louisiana. Therapeutic Foster Care is foster care that accommodates a child or youth whose need for prolonged specialized care and supervision requires continuous professional oversight, preventing placement in a standard foster home. These children often need additional behavioral health support, stability, and trauma-informed care in order to thrive.
Many children entering foster care arrive with very few belongings and face an uncertain transition during an already difficult time. Through the “Pack Their Journey” campaign, donations will help provide suitcases, hygiene items, comfort essentials, and resources that support children as they begin a new chapter in a safe and caring environment.

According to the Louisiana Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS), 7,449 children were served in foster care in 2025. The need for foster parents—and especially Therapeutic Foster Care parents prepared to care for children with higher levels of need—remains great across the state. At a recent press conference hosted by Governor Landry and DCFS the department shared that there are 48 beds available for every 100 children in foster care.

“Every child deserves to feel valued, prepared, and supported during times of transition,” said Willie Green, the President/CEO at Gulf Coast Social Services. “Through our GiveNOLA Day campaign, our community has the opportunity to provide practical essentials while showing children in foster care that they are seen and cared for.”
In addition to financial support, GCSS is using this campaign to raise awareness of the urgent need for foster parents. Individuals and families interested in learning more about becoming foster parents are encouraged to visit the GCSS website at gcssla.org to learn more and to contact GCSS to begin the conversation about opening their hearts and homes to children in need.

Community members can support the campaign in several ways:
• Make an online gift through GiveNOLA Day from April 28 through May 5, 2026 at https://mtyc.co/6qii2f
• Donate directly through the GCSS website after May 5, 2026 at gcssla.org
• Donate new or gently used suitcases at our offices:
Baton Rouge Office: 5850 Florida Blvd., Baton Rouge, LA 70806
New Orleans Office: 2400 Edenborn Ave, Metairie, LA 70001
Every donation—whether financial or in-kind—helps provide dignity, comfort, and hope to children entering foster care.

About Gulf Coast Social Services
Gulf Coast Social Services is a Louisiana-based nonprofit organization dedicated to providing the resources necessary to improve the quality of life and maximize independence for people who need support through behavioral health, home and community-based services. GCSS serves vulnerable individuals and families across multiple regions of Louisiana, helping create pathways to safety, stability, and long-term well-being. To learn more about GCSS please visit their website at gcssla.org.