It looks like a theater for the toddler set in my living room. Five convertible carseats face my coffee table, marked and waiting for foster families from my foster mom support group to come pick them up. You see, I have the luxury of serving as a foster parent in Lincoln, Nebraska, which means that I can utilize the Foster Care Closet. It is my understanding that the typical foster family in the United States has to run out and buy new clothes—and everything else a kid might need—every time a new child comes through their doors. But in Lincoln we’re blessed with the Foster Care Closet, which means we can get five sets of clothing, diapers, winter coats, carseats, strollers and other miscellaneous items for FREE when a child enters our home.
Leigh Esau is the big heart and hard worker behind the Closet, which she began in her basement. Leigh’s got a fascinating story all her own. She has not only opened up her doors to foster children in Nebraska, but she’s adopted several as well. Her passion for children is now funneled into the Foster Care Closet where she and other works do their very best to serve kids in the system.
Today I don’t have to buy a carseat for our always-growing foster son. And neither do 12 other members of our foster support group. What a HUGE blessing this is to our families! Our foster children can ride safely in our cars and we don’t have to bear this financial burden as we seek to love these kiddos who need an extra doses of safety, permanency and security.
The Foster Care Closet is looking for folks to partner with them to the tune of $120 a year. This could be a one-time gift, or it could come in the form of $10 each month (aka two Starbucks lattes). Every bit of money that goes to the Closet will help support the needs of children who are wards of the state. Not everyone is called to have extra kiddos come live in their homes, but certainly there’s something each of us can do to help the children in our own cities. Supporting the Foster Care Closet is just one awesome way you can help.
Foster CARE Closet
643 S. 25th St. Ste 8
Lincoln, NE 68510
402-617-0667
www.fostercarecloset.org
fostercarecloset@fostercarecloset.org
*Mention my name when you make a donation and… I’ll be really proud of you. Yeah, nothing else will happen.
2 Comments
dianna Mar 17, 2015 11:38 AM
This remind me of my foster mama. She never said goodbye to a child without packing them a bag of something. One time she got a group of four boys (brothers). All they were wearing were Jean overalls… Nothing under. They were only in her home for one night, but they each left with a bag of new clothes. :)
Leigh Mar 17, 2015 12:29 PM
Wow, what a great way to be reminded that we are blessed to be a blessing! I’m so honored to be able to be in a position to operate the Foster CARE Closet. My prayer is for each family and youth who’s lives will be touched because GOD has chosen to bless them through this ministry.thank you very much, Rebecca for the kind words and shout out for the Foster CARE Closet!!
~Leigh~