We had a beautiful 16 year old girl come into Hope’s Closet this fall. She was placed into foster care with her brothers late one evening. Their foster mom called me and requested a bed so they could keep all three kids together. Within twenty minutes, we had a donor who was willing to deliver the bed! The next morning, we were privileged to serve this family at Hope’s Closet. The children had been placed with only the clothes on their backs. The boys were skin and bones, but the big sister really broke my heart. The signs of her abuse were apparent. As I began asking the children their clothing and shoe sizes, I was taken aback by the depths of their neglect. They did not know their sizes. Their big sister proudly told me how she had climbed through garbage dumpsters searching for shoes so they wouldn’t go into foster care barefooted. This is happening to kids right here in our community. As I held back my own tears, I told this young lady how proud I was of her resourcefulness and how impressed I was with her great attitude. She was not responsible for the terrible things that happened to her, but I wanted her to know she was displaying an incredible response to it. She is a survivor. She is strong. She is beautiful. She is loved by God.
|
“Hope’s Closet is such a blessing to my family! We have 3 foster children, 4 bio children and 1 adopted child. You guys take so much stress off us! I get excited every time I come to shop here! You are making a difference in my life. Thank you for all you do!!” “We truly appreciate all you do. It is a very special person that can spare their time for such a great helping program and do such a wonderful job. The special touch of each makes life sweeter. We thank you.” |
“My first placement was tough…tough! I was self-isolated and lost as a person and parent. I happened to be shuffled to Hope’s Closet to shop since the other clothing store closed, and apparently clothing vouchers are a one-time thing (things you learn the hard way on your first placement). So I begrudgingly showed up to shop. I was greeted with the biggest smile and most enthusiasm I’d seen on anyone in the foster care world over the last 6 months. She helped me shop but she kept talking to me and most importantly LISTENING! Just listened to me complain, say how miserable I was, and how scared I was about certain things as a foster mom, and she didn’t think I was crazy. She made me feel like I was okay again and that was more to me than any other store could give at that time. Thanks to all the volunteers! Thanks Amanda! I got what I needed, plus clothes.”
“From the bottom of our hearts we want to thank you for all that you do. Because of your service, my family has been blessed more than you’ll ever realize. There are so many challenges that we face in foster care, but God has used you to relieve our minds about providing clothing for our kids. It is by far our favorite way to shop. May God bless you always!” |
“Thank you all so much for what you do! The amount of stress that is lifted off our shoulders knowing these little ones are provided for through Hope’s Closet is beyond a blessing. Tomorrow I will get to show a 6 year old a shirt and tie that he gets to wear to church and I can’t wait to see the HUGE smile on his face. Thank you for all you do!” |