Belonging Bags is a developing community initiative dedicated to supporting children entering and transitioning through foster care by providing dignity-centered care bags filled with essential items, comfort, and care.

Founded from lived experience as a foster and adoptive family, Belonging Bags was created to help ensure children feel valued, supported, and respected during times of change. While progress has been made in improving dignity within foster care, many youth still lack the personal essentials that provide stability and reassurance during transitions.

Currently in its 2026 foundation year, Belonging Bags is focused on building community support, organizing supply-based contributions, and developing partnerships in preparation for launching as a nonprofit organization in 2027. The long-term vision is to strengthen how children experience transitions in care by centering dignity, belonging, and trauma-informed support.

Hello! I’m Anthony Martiguez, founder of Belonging Bags.

This initiative began from lived experience. As a foster and adoptive parent, my family and I welcomed children into our home during some of the most uncertain moments of their lives. Many arrived with very few belongings, some with just the clothes on their backs, and little sense of stability. Those experiences stayed with me and shaped how I understand dignity, care, and belonging.

Over time, we adopted our boys and walked alongside them through their healing, growth, and stability. Trauma does not simply disappear, but with support, consistency, and care, it can be understood and tamed. That journey continues to shape why this work matters so deeply to me.

Professionally, I have worked in education and child serving systems, including supporting and matching adoptive families with children in care. Across both my personal and professional experiences, one truth remained clear. While progress has been made, especially here in Texas, children still need more than a bag. They need the essentials, comfort, and reassurance that remind them they matter during times of change. Their uprooting is not their fault.

Belonging Bags was created to help meet that need by providing children in foster care with care bags that support dignity, stability, and a sense of belonging.

Thank you for being here and for walking alongside this mission. I am looking forward to the changes ahead!