Free Closet for Children In Foster Care Opens Expanded Ann Arbor-Area Location

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ANN ARBOR, MI -- Children in the Michigan foster care system now have double the space to shop in a recently opened care closet.

Michigan Foster Care Closet, a nonprofit based in Washtenaw County, provides free clothing, shoes, toiletries, school supplies and toys to children currently in the foster care system. Children are allowed to shop free of charge four times a year and take up to a week’s worth of clothing and three pairs of shoes. The care closet also offers items like beds, diapers and winter coats.

“Some of these kids have never had new shoes,” said Heather Wing, vice president of the closet’s board of directors. “Some of these kids have never had shoes that fit them.”

Although the organization previously had two locations, it recently consolidated into one, much larger space. The organization formerly opened its space in early 2022, but will be hosting an open house from 1 to 3 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 1. at its new space, 37 Enterprise Drive, Ann Arbor. The event, restricted to those 21 and older, will allow people to see the new location and learn more about the organization.

The open house was delayed to allow volunteers to finalize renovation work, Wing said. Michigan Foster Care Closet is entirely run by volunteers.

Although Michigan Foster Care Closet provides clothing for all ages, Wing is especially excited about the new location’s separate rooms for teen boys and teen girls.

“We really try to keep teen styles in there, as opposed to just adult styles,” Wing said. “You go to high school, everybody’s wearing high school clothes, not mom clothes. So we’re pretty picky about that, and I think the kids and young people really value that.”

Having children in foster care pick out their own clothes lets them know they are valued, said Jennie Sharp, the director of Michigan Foster Care Closet.

“If you can show a kid they are worth something, you can possibly change the trajectory of their life,” Sharp said.

Wing, who was a foster parent for four years, also said it can help children to feel like they have a say.

“I was able to do this once with one of my nine-year-old foster kids, and it was just really valuable for her to have control over one aspect during a time that was so out of her control,” Wing said.

Although the care closet is geared toward helping foster parents provide for children, it also serves as a de facto community center for parents, Wing said. The center also plans to eventually provide classes in its new facility.

“You often get a call about a child that needs a home, and you might be taking them home that night. …You just have a very small window to prepare your house for another child,” Wing said. “It was just really special to have the foster closet be there and be willing to open their doors to me and my husband.”

Michigan Foster Care Closet, 37 Enterprise Drive, will be hosting an open house from 1 to 3 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 1. For more information about the care closet, visit it online, on social media or by phone at 888-511-6322x803. Shopping is by appointment only.

By Jordyn Pair | jpair@mlive.com | Published: Sep. 30, 2022, 3:10 p.m.

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