ESCANABA, Mich. (WZMQ) – May is National Foster Care Month. For one Escanaba organization, providing resources for kids in the foster system is a year-long endeavor.
Formerly under the Foster Closet of Michigan, the U.P. Foster Closet of Delta County became an independent nonprofit in 2018.
“We serve Delta County and surrounding communities,” said President Jenny Tourangeau. “We work with other foster closets in Menominee and Marinette, one in Marquette, one in Dickinson County, and one in Iron County.”
The U.P. Foster Closet of Delta County provides necessities for children in the care of someone other than their parents.
“That could be grand families, aunts, uncles, family friends—as long as they’re not with their biological parents,” Tourangeau explained. “We provide everything from hygiene, diapers, beds, bedding, clothing, pretty much whatever they need free of charge to them.”
Over the last several years, Tourangeau has seen the number of children and foster families coming through the doors increase dramatically.
“When we first started, they were maybe serving twelve families a year,” she said. “Our busiest month was August of last year, when we served 60 kids.”
Thanks to the dedication of the small Foster Closet team and community donations, each of those kids has been able to get what they needed.
“It’s cute to see them pick out clothes or if they’re in here with a sibling, a lot of them will pick out stuff for their sibling rather than themselves, which is really adorable. As they’re in here and shopping and picking stuff out, they’ll open up, they’ll talk, they’ll get a lot more animated and get excited about it.”
A new wardrobe can go far when it comes to developing kids’ self-esteem.
“A lot of them are in clothes that don’t fit or are dirty or ripped and stained,” Tourangeau said. “This way, we can help them fit in with their peers a little better and give them that boost of self-confidence. As they’re going through something pretty traumatic, it’s nice for them to have stuff that’s their own, that’s new, that’s clean, that is just theirs.”
While the Foster Closet provides a comforting and empowering service, Tourangeau says the commitment of foster parents is crucial to the lives of those children.
“If you’re willing and able, become a foster parent,” she said. “There’s at any given time in the United States 310,000 – 320,000 kids in foster care. There’s desperate need not only nationwide but in Michigan itself.”
To make a donation to the U.P. Foster Closet of Delta County, call (906) 398-9012 or email upfcdc@gmail.com. The nonprofit makes posts announcing needs for specific items on its Facebook page.
Anyone interested in becoming a foster parent is encouraged to contact their local Michigan Department of Health and Human Services office. For a list of locations, click here.
