The Jewish Board of Family and Children’s Services (JBFCS) is one of the nation's premier mental health and social service agencies. In October 2004, JBFCS' Volunteer Services began a project called Sanctuary Stitchers. The program's goal is to provide a handmade knit or crocheted blanket to each child in therapeutic treatment at one of our residential programs. Sanctuary Stitcher volunteers knit or crochet 7 by 9 inch squares which are assembled into beautiful handmade blankets for children living at JBFCS residences. The power of the program is that it offers volunteers the opportunity to do a craft they enjoy, while experiencing the gratification of knowing they are helping others in need of comfort.

To date, the Sanctuary Stitchers project has involved over 900 volunteers who have produced more than 7,000 blanket squares. Since beginning in 2004, the Sanctuary Stitchers have distributed more than 300 blankets to young JBFCS clients.