activities · 5
what they do
direct service · 4
- Maintaining and Expanding Facilities Capital Campaigns and Facility AcquisitionsMaintains the organization's building and landscaping, and has undertaken renovations and moves to larger locations to improve service capacity, including adding a dedicated changing room and on-site laundry facilities.
- Operating a Resource Center for Foster Children and Families Comfort and Care Kits DistributionOperates an in-person resource center, Jessie's Closet, providing foster children with access to clothing, diapers, car seats, and emotional support. This includes a dedicated children's boutique where foster children can shop in a supportive environment, and the provision of basic clothing items like socks and underwear to supplement state allowances.
- Operating a Thrift Store for Fundraising Community-Supported Thrift StoreOperates Jessie’s Treasures Thrift Store, selling donated items both in-store and online as 'hidden treasures' to generate funds that support foster families and the expansion of the resource center.
- Providing Hygiene and Comfort Items Comfort and Care Kits DistributionProvides "MyBags," which are handmade bags containing age-appropriate hygiene items and a toy for foster children.
capacity building · 1
- Expanding Operational CapacityHired assistants to expand operating hours and improve service to foster families.
strategies · 5
how they think
Theories of action extracted from this org's own source material. Click any to see the full field of orgs running the same approach.
- Dignified, child-centered provision of essential items boutique_model_trauma_informedThe organization uses a boutique model to provide clothing and emergency needs in a welcoming, child-centered environment, allowing foster children to feel special, have choices, and address emotional trauma associated with foster care. This approach aims to provide emotional support and a sense of belonging.
- Immediate and comprehensive support for foster families direct_support_of_foster_familiesThe organization provides foster families with access to basic clothing and emergency needs for children in care, aiming to supply essential items in advance so foster parents can focus on comforting children during the critical first 24 hours.
- Leadership informed by lived experience lived_experience_informedThe organization is led by individuals with personal experience in fostering and adopting children, which demonstrates an understanding of the struggles faced by foster families and informs their approach.
- Leveraging tax incentives to encourage donations tax_credit_incentiveBy being certified as a Qualified Foster Care Charitable Organization (QFCO), the organization allows Arizona residents to receive a dollar-for-dollar state income tax credit for donations, thereby encouraging financial contributions to support foster children.
- Quality control for donated items quality_control_for_donationsThe organization ensures that donated items are of high quality, with new socks and underwear, and used clothing is washed, inspected, and ironed to maintain standards.
named programs · 4
what they call their work
Hidden Treasures Online Sales
Online platform featuring high-quality donated items; proceeds support foster families and operations
Jessie's Closet Resource Center
A boutique-style center where foster families access free clothing, diapers, car seats, and basic needs for children in foster care
Jessie’s Treasures Thrift Store
On-site thrift store that sells donated goods to generate revenue for the organization and support foster families
MyBags Program
Provides hand-made bags containing age-appropriate hygiene items, toys, and essentials for newly placed foster children to keep with them
relationships · 5
who they work with
- Arizona Department of Child Safety Partner — Collaborates with DCS to support foster children and families, operating within the state's foster care system framework.
- Desert Grace Community Church of the Nazarene Partner — The missions council of the church initiated the idea for Jessie's Closet, and the organization was initially housed on the church campus.
- Desert Grace Community Church of the Nazarene Partner — The organization's president works at this church.
- Yuma Community Theater Partner — The organization's Vice-President serves in a leadership role at this theater.
- Yuma Schools Consortium Partner — A board director also serves as the Director of Transportation for this consortium.