Our Organization
Alicia's Closet is a nonprofit organization serving the foster care community in Franklin County and surrounding areas. We provide infant to teen/young adult sized clothing, shoes, coats, backpacks, toys, diapers & wipes, baby accessories and other essentials, at no cost to families.
We are happy to serve children in foster care of all ages, and teens/youth who are in the process of aging out (or have recently aged out) of the foster care system. We also extend help to families who are reunifying after children have spent time in foster care. We are proponents of family preservation (and family restoration) whenever possible, and supporting families as they continue to overcome the barriers they were facing initially, so we often provide resources as part of this purpose. We believe that love is a verb - Alicia's Closet exists to support those connected with the foster care community through action, both children and their families/caregivers. Our mission encompasses Colossians 3:12-14: "...Clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience...And over all these virtues, put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity."
By supplying much needed items to children/youth in the foster care community, we hope to help create a sense of comfort and normalcy during a very difficult, uncertain time. In the process, we also hope to create genuine connections and provide support to families/caregivers. (As an “extension” of Alicia’s Closet, we also lead a small Foster, Adoptive & Kinship Family Support Group. Please click here for more information.)
Our Story
As foster/adoptive parents ourselves, we understand firsthand the needs that exist within the foster care community. After becoming acclimated to life as foster parents, it quickly became apparent that tangible resources are a constant need, and thus, Alicia's Closet (named after our daughter) was born.
We are a family run organization and our children are our "why." They are an integral part of this organization; not only do they help sort and fold clothing, but they truly understand our mission as they have been in the shoes of the children we serve.
To arrange a time to come in and "shop," please fill out the contact us form (or email aliciasclosetcolumbus@gmail.com) and include the following information:
We look forward to serving you!
Statistics state that 30-50% of foster parents nationwide quit within the first year, due to lack of support. The US Department of Health and Human Services also reports that between 1 and 5 percent of US adoptions are legally dissolved (or "reversed"/ended after finalization) each year. Contributing factors include lack of trauma-informed training & education (resulting in parents who are overwhelmed and feel unequipped to meet their child's needs), in addition to lack of support.
Parenting children who have experienced trauma is a unique journey, and can be incredibly isolating without a strong support system. Our Foster, Adoptive & Kinship Family Support Group provides much needed connection, a community of support and an opportunity to share experiences with other parents/caregivers who are navigating a similar journey. The group is open to currently licensed foster parents, kinship caregivers, and all adoptive parents.
*At this time, in-person meetings have been suspended, but we are hosting weekly virtual meetings via Zoom! Please contact us for more information.
Are you passionate about what we're doing? Let us know! We are always looking for volunteers to help organize, sort clothing, pick up donations, help provide childcare for families, and more. We'll help you find a way to volunteer that best suits you!
Please fill out our volunteer interest form here
or contact us with questions!
We are also happy to accept in-kind donations! Please click here for a full list of accepted items & donation guidelines.
To arrange donation drop off or pick up, please fill out the contact us form or email aliciasclosetcolumbus@gmail.com.
Please feel free to visit our Amazon wish list as well: https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/20GE7V1G4XM8W?ref_=wl_shareclick
Thank you for your support!
Whether you help through donations, volunteering your time, or spreading our mission through word-of-mouth, THANK YOU!
This organization would not exist without the help of supporters like you!
It takes a village - THANK YOU for being part of ours!
Use the link below to browse apparel, prints and more from a company who shares our mission.
Goods & Better (founded by two sisters who are also foster moms), creates "goods and gear on a mission."
Not only do these products help to raise awareness, but each purchase directly benefits a child in foster care. At checkout, you are given the opportunity to “choose your impact” (at no extra cost) by selecting one of the following categories: comfort, hygiene, clothing, luggage or baby bundle. An item from the category you choose will then be delivered to a child in foster care on your behalf. By ordering through our affiliate link below, Alicia’s Closet also receives a portion of the proceeds. Thank you for supporting the foster care community through these amazing products! https://www.goodsandbetterstore.com/?ref=aliciascloset
Copyright © 2018 Alicia's Closet - All Rights Reserved.
Powered by GoDaddy