A former foster child is helping other children in similar situations.

Warwick teen Amber Vitoulis is putting together “Butterfly Backpacks,” with items that she believes will mean everything to frightened foster kids if they are abruptly taken from their homes.

The 14-year-old is working on the project for her Girl Scout Silver Award with the help of her mother.

The backpack includes things like books, pajamas, toothbrushes and a blanket.

Her mother says the project also has special meaning.  She says she and her husband and were trying to have a baby, but she had four miscarriages. She said she was told there was a baby girl who needed to be brought home from the hospital, so she had a day and a half to prepare for Amber’s arrival.

The pair says they hope to help ease the transition for others in similar situations and are collecting donations through the end of the summer to give to Social Services.

Amber Vitoulis says she plans on handwriting special messages to the children - attached to butterfly tags on each backpack.

"I just want them to be happy for the future and know they have a lot of things ahead of them," she says.