Testimonials
We love being able to make a difference in the lives of foster, kinship and adoptive families!
Ms. Jones
“It meant a lot to me because , he came into my life on a short notice. I am a single woman on social security and I would not have been able to provide him with things he may have wanted. Thanks so much for all you have done and again we appreciate it"
The Dunbar Family
"Greetings, Closet of Hope, Donors, Businesses and Volunteers I wanted to take the time to express my immense gratitude to Closet of Hope, donors, businesses and volunteers this holiday season. This is the second year you all blessed my grandchildren with an unforgettable Christmas that they will always cherish. Seeing the smile on their face, after everything they’ve endured, while opening their presents is such a beautiful thing. You have been extremely patient and empathetic to me and my family during one of our lowest times, while also making sure the process was quick and easy. I ask that God continues to bless you and your family, as you have blessed mine. Thank you again, and I pray you have a great and safe Christmas."
The Smith Family
“This meant so much to our family to be able to make our children's Christmas and to see them smile. The care and love that you all show and have shown to families like ours just means the world to us. You helped us lighten the struggle to provide happiness to our family, to our children. Thank you.”
The Washington Family
“I want to take some time to express my sincere gratitude. I have been crying all morning because I am just blown away at what an amazing community I am a part of. It's said that it takes a village but as a military and foster family, it's especially hard to find that village. You all came through for our foster daughter tremendously and we are so fortunate! She is such an amazing young girl, the world has thrown life at her in a way that is just simply way too much for any one person. She's incredibly resilient, hopeful, strong, and has a beautiful outlook on life despite everything she's been through. She deserves so much in life and you all helped turn a hard time for her into a magical and happy Christmas. Thank you doesn't do it justice. But thank you to everyone who shared and/or purchased a gift. And thank you everyone at Closet of Hope for all you do for everyone. You ALL make the world a better place!”
The Clark Family
"We began fostering over 10 years ago in Illinois. We moved here in 2012 and brought our (then) foster son with us via ICPC. He was our first foster and we had been doing it for 2 years. He was a teenager as were our two biological children. Once he moved out (he aged out), we began fostering kids from South Carolina. To date we have fostered over 50 kids raging in age from newborn premies through 18 years. One of our kids came with her own baby. We have had 2 sets of twins (infants) and a set of toddler twins. We have had single kids and sibling groups.
Everyone always tells me they could never foster because they couldn't bear saying goodbye or couldn't bear giving the children back once they became part of their families & hearts. I always tell them that it isn't the saying goodbye that is the hardest. It is answering a call and finding out that there is a child/children that need you but you are out of room. Knowing that there are kids that need a safe place to call home, someone to love them through what is the scariest/hardest part of their lives and you cannot help is the hardest part. So we have said "Yes" a lot.
My wife is a teacher and I work a normal office job. Our bank account is very small on any given day (especially after paying bills). We do not have much "extra" cash but we have never let that stop us from saying "Yes." Our typical experience is that children usually do not come with much more than 1 or 2 outfits (for kids just coming into care) that fit and rarely any toys or even a toothbrush. These are all things we provide.
Before Closet of Hope, we were simply going out and buying these things with each new child. When you get a baby that you weren't planning on getting nor prepared to have, this also includes a crib, crib mattress, sheets, lots of onesies and diapers and wipes, bottles, formula, a car seat (and if you have one parent dropping littles off at daycare and another picking up from daycare you need a car seat for each car), and so much more. When you have had teenagers for years and suddenly you have a 6 year old little boy you need age-appropriate toys as well as clothes. When you get a little girl after only having boys for a while, you need girly things. I am sure you already know how expensive kids are.
When we first heard about the Closet of Hope we were interested & hopeful. Now we are on a first name basis with the wonderful ladies who run it because we have reached out so many times for so many kids. The Closet has always come through in abundance. It is also a fantastic place for us to pay forward things that our littles outgrow or friends donate. We have had 2 brothers for almost 3 years now and we have been able to change out seasons and sizes as they have changed over the years. When we have had littles that are aging out and moving into their own places, these ladies have come through with finding things to furnish these new places.
My point is that, yes, kids are expensive. Everyone knows that. However, you do not have to be rich to change the lives of these kids. You have to be kind, patient, loving and be willing to have your heart broken (don't worry - it mends and it is worth it!). Having a place like the Closet of Hope is a HUGE bonus/help/resource for all foster parents! We are extremely grateful for the Closet and the ladies who run it!"
The Vazquez Family
"We became licensed in February 2020 and accepted our first placement just 2 days prior to the Charleston schools closing for covid and the whole world shutting down. After an extremely challenging 7 months, he was reunified. We decided to "take a month off" but wound up saying yes to a sibling set of 5 (under 6 years old!) just 2 weeks later. We had NOTHING for babies and toddlers and nothing for girls. Within 24 hours Kelly and her term not only had bags of clothes and stuff for the babies, but got it from Summerville to West Ashley so we didn't have to drive an hour to get it.
Not only did they support us in the short term, but the friendships that have come out of the COH families have been so rewarding and supportive. From the Christmas present drive at the Church at Can Bay, to picking me up stranded on the side of the road with no gas, the foster care community is the the most supportive people on earth. From respite, to the Charleston Repeats sale, to lending us a vehicle when we were briefly a family of 9, they are an enormous blessing to the Charleston area."