RSVP Bear Care – since 2003                                      Contact: sherry@rsvptulsa.org

"The children love their little bears and sleep with them each day at naptime." –teacher at Cooper Elementary School

The RSVP Bear Care program was born of an observation by Court Watch volunteers regarding the number of children living in homes where family violence and abuse existed. They wanted to let those children know that someone cares. And they wanted to bring community attention to the lack of a sense of security and safety the children experience in their home lives, as well as the effect violence and abuse will continue to have on them during their childhoods and into adulthood.

Since the holiday season in 2003 when we began, more than 3,500 children at 26 Tulsa schools or agencies have been presented a hand-crafted bear by an RSVP volunteer. Most of the “bear-birthing” volunteers simply love children and also love to sew, “sew” this is the perfect service opportunity to do something meaningful for kids while informing the community. Bear Care volunteers can opt to craft kittys and bunnies, baby bibs and simple cloth blankets, and other needed items for foster and special needs children.

Volunteers are invited to join the Knittin' Kittens craft group who gather each Friday at noon at RSVP to knit and/or crochet items for kids and shawls for survivors of family violence. If you don't know how to knit or crochet, group members will be happy to teach you. Training and fabric, patterns, yarns, and other materials can be provided.