GSEM Bronze Award Project Catalog

Supplies for Refugees

Bronze Award Team: Troop 1904

Issue: There is a lack of supplies for refugees.

Root Cause: Refugees from many countries have settled in the St. Louis area with nothing more than what they could carry on them when they left their homelands. Target Audience: Refugees staying at Oasis International and International Institute of St. Louis.

Project Details: After recognizing the lack of supplies for refugees moving to the St. Louis area, Troop 1904 decided to organize a donation drive to provide shelter residents with useful goods. The Girl Scouts received donated cleaning and laundry supplies, including laundry bags, dish soap, small trash cans, and many more items. The young changemakers collected more than 100 cleaning items and over 50 rolls of toilet paper to donate. The Juniors also wrote welcome notes for the refugee children to ease their transition to a new community. The letters and cleaning supplies were then donated to Oasis International and International Institute of St. Louis.

Faith Haven Welcome Kits

Bronze Award Team: Troop 3201

Issue: When homeless individuals arrive at shelters they often have nothing more than what they are wearing. Root Cause: Being homeless, most individuals do not have the money to buy clothes and toiletries. Target Audience: Those who are homeless in St. Charles County and live at the Faith Haven House.

Project Details: Knowing that most homeless individuals often do not have an extra change of clothes, Troop 3201 created welcome kits for new residents at Faith Haven House to earn the Bronze Award. The kits consisted of a backpack containing two changes of clothes, new underwear and socks, and basic toiletries. The Girl Scouts filled the kits with the donated supplies they gathered through soliciting local businesses, flyers with their Amazon wishlist, and going door-to-door in their neighborhoods. They also created an inspirational calendar to include in each welcome kit. Finally, the Girl Scouts provided a step-by-step guide and project materials to Faith Haven House so they can continue their project in the future.