The Christmas joy just keeps on giving as George Junior Republic hosted a Christmas party these youth both in and aging out of the foster care system will never forget.

George Junior Republic in Indiana is a non-profit organization that has been working with youth in the foster care system since 1992.

This organization serves approximately 1,200 youth and families in 46 counties across the state of Indiana and work with youth 16 to 23 years old in the Older Youth Services program since its origination in 2012.

The Older Youth Services provides independent living skills to youth as they age out of foster care to assist the youth in successfully entering adulthood.

“We just held our 10th annual Christmas party for the youth providing them the opportunity to experience holiday joy in a safe space,” said Vice-President of George Junior Republic Brandy Stark said.

During the party on Dec. 14, each youth received an individualized Christmas gift and had the opportunity to mingle with other youth around Indiana.

Activities includes tables of crafts including gingerbread house contest, scrapbooking, essential oils for wellness, a photo booth, a game table, a DJ and Karaoke station.

The kids were also provided with a large meal, hot chocolate and dessert. Extra food was provided to the youth to take home.

“This celebration is a lot of hard work for George Junior Republic in Indiana employees as they coordinate transportation of the youth to the event, many of which have two to four hour drives for this special night,” Stark said. “This is one of our favorite nights of the year and the employees, donors and volunteers work so hard to put this together.”

The organization doesn’t only host a Christmas party in the Seymour area but also one in the Evansville area as well.

Sydney Brewster, a George Junior Republic employee, said she understand the significance of these events being an older youth working with the organization as a teenager and as a young adult from 2018 to 2022.

Brewster was successful in the program eventually able to purchase a reliable vehicle and graduate college on the Dean’s List with a major in sociology and three minors.

“I understand the importance a case manager has in the lives of youth and families and now am able to provide this service to youth who are in the program,” Brewster said.