September 2012

Gracie’s Closet staff member, Lauren Powers (left), assists foster parent Wanda Flounory in the selection of back-to-school clothing for her four foster children. Photo: Fayette Youth Protection Home.

Gracie’s Closet, which provides children in foster care with free clothing, books, toys, diapers, and school supplies, especially needs donations to help equip the youngsters for the new school year. High on the “want list”: new or gently used clothing (size newborn through teen); new socks and underwear; pajamas; backpacks; school supplies; and toiletries.

“In the fall we’re inundated with youngsters needing back-to-school items, and our inventory has gotten a little low over the summer,” says Becky Davenport, Executive Director of Fayette Youth Protection Homes (FYPH), which operates Gracie’s Closet. Donations can be dropped off weekdays from 9:00 am – 4:00 pm at 101 Devant Street in Fayetteville (off Gingercake Road).

Nine out of ten children come into the foster care system with nothing but the clothes on their backs. Last year, Gracie’s Closet assisted 340 foster children. Other FYPH programs are the Friday-Johnson Home, a residential group home in Brooks; and the Grace for Children foster parenting program. For more information on FYPH and Gracie’s Closet, call 770-461-7020 or visit www.fyph.org.