Volunteers and staff at Fayette Youth Protection Homes (FYPH) are reaching out to local citizens for donations of gently used children’s clothing and school supplies in order to re-stock the shelves at Gracie’s Closet with back-to-school items. Gracie’s Closet provides children in foster care on the south side of metro Atlanta with free clothing, books, toys, diapers, and school supplies.
Nine out of ten children come into the foster care system with nothing but the clothes on their backs. Last year, through the generosity of local churches, businesses, civic groups and individuals, Gracie’s Closet was able to provide clothing and supplies to 340 foster children who came from 24 different counties.
“Over the next few weeks, we will be inundated with foster children looking for back-to-school outfits, and our inventory has gotten a little low over the summer,” said Becky Davenport, Executive Director for Fayette Youth Protection Homes.
Davenport states that Gracie’s Closet is currently in need of gently used children’s clothing (size newborn through teen), new socks, new underwear, pajamas, backpacks, school supplies, and toiletries. Items can be dropped off at Gracie’s Closet at 101 Devant St., Suite 502, Fayetteville, Monday-Friday from 9 a.m. -4 p.m. The office is located off Gingercake Road, just north of the intersection of Hwy. 54 and Gingercake Rd., behind the Waffle House Restaurant.
Fayette Youth Protection Homes oversees several programs in support of children who have been removed from their homes due to abuse or neglect. In addition to Gracie’s Closet, FYPH also operates the Friday-Johnson Home, a residential group home located in Brooks, Ga. that offers shelter and healing to school-age children. In their Grace for Children foster parenting program, staff members at Fayette Youth Protection Homes recruit, train, and support a network of foster families who take in children of all ages. For additional information about Fayette Youth Protection Homes, please call 770-461-7020 or visit www.fyph.org.
