Knit a Difference Kick Off-2024

Knitters and crocheters of all types are invited to a time of community and to begin creating homemade winter accessories for neighbors in our community. Come and go throughout the morning as desired. There will be various patterns as well as yarn for folks to work with and take home to continue creating. This event is sponsored by the Youth Resource Committee, whose mission is to inspire the community to embrace the strengths of youth by providing resources and guidance to homeless and at-risk youth with the intent to enhance and empower their sense of self-reliance, connection to their community, and potential of a positive future.​

Want to learn more about the Youth Resource Committee?

The Youth Resource Committee fulfills its mission in various ways. In partnership with social workers from the Hudson Public Schools, the committee provides support for transportation (taxi vouchers to appointments, bike purchases for youth, fees for driver’s education classes, etc.), gift cards (to Goodwill to purchase clothing and to Great Clips for haircuts), scholarships for higher education, and more. You can learn more about the Youth Resource Committee at: youthresourcecommittee.weebly.com.

First Presbyterian Church helped found and continues to support the Youth Resource Committee as part of its commitment to supporting and empowering vulnerable children, youth, and families. Other organizations that First Presbyterian supports out of love and care for vulnerable children, youth, and families include:

• Safe Haven Foster Shoppe supplies children entering a new foster home a placement bags filled with clothing, toiletries, blankets, and entertainment items to bring comfort in the midst of transition. We serve as a collection point for donations (all items should be new).
• Wisconsin Women Infant Child (WIC) Program promotes the health and well-being of nutritionally at-risk pregnant, breastfeeding and postpartum women, infants and children by providing nutrition education, breastfeeding education and support, supplemental nutritious foods, and referrals to other health and nutrition services. We are honored to host a St. Croix County WIC clinic once a month and to provide children’s books for the clients of the WIC program.
• Bundles of Love provides baby essentials (diaper bag, diapers, wipes, receiving blankets, clothing, washcloths, and more) to families in need welcoming a newborn into their lives. Our mission sewers make handmade clothing to be shared with these families. Sewers of all skill levels are welcome to assist on Mission Sewing Tuesdays (1^st and 3^rd Tuesdays of the month from 9:30am until early afternoon). Mission Sewers come and go as their schedules allow.
• Bridge for Community Life provides community-based life skills training, employment services and social and recreational programs for youth and adults with disabilities in the St. Croix Valley. We serve as a host for some of their programs including their annual Valentine’s Dance and Come See Santa event. Bridge clients also help around the church with various tasks according to their skill level and help fill backpacks with food for the Hudson Backpack Program.
• Our Neighbors’ Place, based in River Falls, connects neighbors with support, shelter, and housing services to foster their self-determination. Our support includes collecting and delivering adult clothing for their secondhand store.
• Grace Place/Salvation Army, located in New Richmond, provides shelter and support services to families and individuals in the St. Croix River Valley, including residents of St. Croix, Pierce and Polk Counties. Our support includes collecting and delivering most-needed supplies.

Learn more about First Presbyterian Church’s local service commitments here: www.fpchudson.net/serving-locally