Give new pajamas to children in Foster Care!

In 2025, Comfort Cases continued to scale its operations in its quest to ensure no child enters foster care with their belongings in a trash bag. Much was accomplished over the past year. Comfort Cases delivered dignity and hope to nearly 40,000 children across the United States through Comfort Cases and Comfort XLs, Hope Scholarships, and Founder Rob Scheer's speaking engagements at colleges, high schools, and even elementary schools. The organization awarded scholarships to graduating high school seniors and current college students for the 2025-2026 academic year. While only 3% of foster youth typically graduate from college, Comfort Cases' scholarship recipients are provided with both financial aid and “Hope Boxes” (essential dorm/living supplies) to beat these odds. Over 144 Hope Boxes were delivered in 2025 to youth transitioning out of the system and into higher education.

In 2025, 38 episodes of the Fostering Change podcast were produced, covering a wide range of topics related to foster care. The episodes are available on all podcast streaming platforms and on the Comfort Cases website: https://comfortcases.org/podcasts/. Now in its 7th Season, and ranked as the “Best Podcast to Listen to Regarding Foster Care and Adoption” for three consecutive years, Comfort Cases founder Rob Scheer hosts this inspiring show about how communities can come together to bring dignity and hope to children in the foster care system. Guests include former youth in foster care, foster parents, celebrities touched by the foster care system, child welfare advocates, authors, and every day “Good Humans” working to improve the lives of kids in care.

2025 was a landmark year for systemic partnerships that integrate Comfort Cases into state-level social services. In a major 2025 expansion, Comfort Cases teamed up with Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina to launch the "Pathway to Comfort" program, which aims to provide a Comfort Case to every child entering the foster care system across all 100 counties in North Carolina. Nearly 2,000 Comfort Cases were delivered in the state within the first few months of the partnership. The partnership with Rize Credit Union expanded into a year-round program. For every new account opened, Rize donates a backpack and a Barely Canadian hoodie. The program also facilitates "Youth Access Banking," allowing foster youth as young as 13 to open bank accounts to build financial independence. In addition to its existing partnership with I Support the Girls, Comfort Cases partnered with the PATESI Foundation to include essential menstrual health products in Comfort Cases for older youth.

The organization's mission gained unprecedented national visibility in 2025. PBS New Hours featured Comfort Cases in a November 2025 segment highlighting the psychological impact of the “trash bag” transition. The organization’s "Fostering Futures" Gala in October 2025 raised significant funds and featured keynote speaker Andrew Bridge. Comfort Cases was named a finalist for the 2025 Moxie Award, recognizing the organization’s innovation and boldness in the nonprofit sector. Founder Rob Scheer and his entire family were honored at Washington Nationals Park by the Savannah Bananas for their advocacy work.

Comfort Cases, Inc. is a community-led organization, with most of its leadership reflecting and representing the experiences and perspectives of the children it serves. The organization remains 96% volunteer-led, and community involvement is vital to its success. In 2025, thousands of volunteers—ranging from corporate teams to school districts like Montgomery County Public Schools—participated in "Packing Parties."

It’s an ongoing challenge for Comfort Cases to bring in enough financial resources to keep pace with demand. Going forward, Comfort Cases has the goal of fully meeting current demand while also establishing new relationships with more partner agencies, thereby increasing the distribution of Comfort Cases to additional youth in need. The organization faces ongoing demand for Comfort Cases and strives to respond to all requests within 24 hours. 

Our mission isn't just about a backpack, it's also about the message inside. In 2025, your Foundation’s support told children in foster care that they are valued, they are seen, and their journey matters. The continued support of the Knott Foundation is helping to ensure that children in foster care will feel loved, cared for and valued by their communities. Comfort Cases appreciates the support and looks forward to continuing this productive relationship.