Supporting Foster Families

Providing foster families with
the necessities, making the transition easier.

Our Mission

The mission of the Midland County Foster Closet is to provide resources and support for those affiliated with the foster care system.

Who We Are

We are a 501(c)(3) non-profit staffed completely by volunteers who are committed to serving infants to young adults who have a connection to the foster care system.

What We Do

We provide free clothing, shoes, outerwear, boots, and other necessities to children – young adults on an immediate and on-going basis while they are affiliated with the foster care system. We serve children in foster care and in court-ordered family placements, children who are wards of the state and young adults with a connection to the foster care system.

Children are often placed in foster care without any personal items they can take with them to their foster homes; young adults may have a variety of needs as they look to the future. Children and young adults are provided with new clothes, pajamas, underwear and socks, various practical items (handmade blankets, pillowcases, toiletries, diapers, etc.) and books, stuffed animals and toys. Further, clients may take as much gently used clothing as they think they will need. We also provide seasonal items such as swimsuits in the summer and winter gear like coats and boots. Clients can revisit the foster closet as seasons change, for size changes or special events. Foster parents and young adults must show proof of affiliation with the foster care system.

Oftentimes, children are placed – day or night – with nothing but the clothes on their backs. Receiving items from the Foster Closet helps foster parents fill the physical needs of the children they are inviting into their homes. Thus, we help begin the process of rebuilding the children’s self-esteem by providing them with belongings they can call their own which helps them begin to feel good about themselves. Likewise, we strive to meet specific needs of young adults so that they can approach the transition to adulthood with help and hope.

Ways to Help

We gratefully accept donations of new and gently used clean clothes, new footwear, new and gently used books, toiletries/personal care items, and monetary donations. We only accept new donations of the following: pajamas, socks, underwear, carseats, cribs, toys, stuffed animals. We encourage people who would like to make donations to contact us by phone or email for more information.

White and Brown Doodle Creativity Process Infographic (Your Story)

Happy Families

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A lot of times children come into care with only the clothes they are wearing, The Midland County Foster Closet is amazing at helping that issue! The children are incredibly blessed …

- Melissa, foster parent

Let’s Make a Difference Together!

Our passion is not only to help foster children, but also the Midland County families who take them in by reducing the stress, financial responsibility and allowing the foster parents the chance to focus more on the immediate needs of the child.

Support

Brenda, foster parent

“As a foster parent you may get a call for a foster child one day and they may come the same day. If we don’t get enough supplies from the parents, I call the foster closet and ask for items we may need. They are able to meet with me in a few days of getting a new child. Nancy and the other ladies do a great job providing any needed items we needed like new clothes, diapers and toys. They also have a variety of used clothes laid out that I can choose from. They are very friendly and helpful.”

Kim, foster parent

“The foster closet has been a great resource when getting placement of children on an emergency basis. In these cases, the children often come with only the clothes on their back. Foster parents also frequently adjust the age range on their license to accommodate sibling groups which sometimes means taking infants and toddlers they were not prepared for. The Midland County Foster Closet has been able to help with car seats, diapers, and other items needed in emergency situations to help ease the financial strain on foster parents; parents that we cannot go without in this community.”

Melissa, foster parent

“A lot of times children come into care with only the clothes they are wearing. The Midland County Foster Closet is amazing at helping that issue! The children have been incredibly blessed with items to help the immediate needs. While allowing the foster family to focus on the child and building a relationship with them. It has also given us a great place to be able to donate back gently used children’s clothing for other children in need. We are very grateful to have a foster closet in our county!”

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