Project Believe helps Marsh residents

VW independent/submitted information

For the sixth year in a row, Project Believe has helped to make Christmas a little brighter for youths at The Marsh Foundation. The organization, which originated in 2007, has grown from serving 10 kids at Christmas to 10 entire facilities this year alone.

Tammie Rafferty, the group’s founder, was inspired to help others by her own daughter’s circumstances. Their mission is to enrich the lives of youths and their caregivers in residential treatment centers. They provide gifts at Christmas, Valentine’s Day, Easter, and back-to-school time at various facilities.

Christmas gifts include items such as pajamas, blankets, books, board games, art sets, and journals. Each group home also received a bag of items to share among the house residents.

Director of Residential Services Kathleen Davis accepted all of the gifts on behalf of the staff before they were stashed away in anticipation for Christmas morning.

Area residents can learn more about Project Believe by visiting its website at www.projectbelive.net. Or contact Rafferty directly at tammierafferty@outlook.com.

The Marsh Foundation is a not-for-profit children’s services agency that provides services in a variety of settings. Services include group homes, family foster care (ages birth-17), an intensive treatment program, adoption and independent living. Located in Van Wert, the organization’s group homes are licensed for up to 36 children ages 7-17, offers an on-campus school for grades 2-12 and provides a variety of clinical services to group home residents, foster care children, and community members.