Penn VIPS Adopt A Family Program

Description:

During the holiday in December, departments from across the University "adopt" a deserving family. The adoption is usually done in lieu of departmental gift exchanges. The assigned family is treated to presents and sometimes a holiday dinner. Families participate in the program on a one-time basis.

Families are assigned to the departments based on request. Departments choose the size of the family they would like to adopt. Departments can also request the ages of the children they are interested in adopting.

Departments may request a"wish list" from the family or they may choose their own gifts for the family members. Departments chose the number and types of gifts they will provide. Departments are provided with the size of the family, names, ages and sizes of each family member.

Departments may choose to have each participating employee purchase their own gift for an identified family member or they may choose to have participants donate to a fund and have volunteers from the departent do all the shopping for the family.

Departments are encouraged to deliver gifts to the families but they may also request to have the gifts delivered.

 

Eligibility:

Families are selected from the Baring House Crisis Nursery, Achieveability, and Job Corps students. A small number of referrals are also accepted.

 

Dates:

Selection of families begins in November and assignments are made during and prior to mid December.

 

Contact:

Isabel Mapp

Director of Penn Volunteers in Public Service

The Netter Center for Community Partnerships

215-898-0220 (t)

215-573-2799 (f)

sammapp@upenn.edu