Foster Families face some of the most urgent and emotional moments when they step up during emergency placements. These situations move quickly sometimes within hours.
A call comes in. A child needs safety, stability, and care right now. A foster parent says yes, often without knowing the child’s age, background, or even what size pajamas to pull from the closet. There’s no time for late-night Target runs or online orders. Just love, commitment, and an open door.
That’s why The Village Foster Closet exists.
We believe that “emergency” shouldn’t mean “unprepared.” Our mission is to make sure foster families are supported from the very first moment because every child deserves more than just shelter. They deserve comfort, dignity, and a sense of belonging.
What “Emergency Placement” Really Looks Like
A lot of people assume foster care starts with a slow onboarding process. But in reality? It’s often chaos.
One New Jersey foster mom shared this with us: “I got a call at 3 p.m. about a toddler who needed a home. By 5 p.m., he was asleep in my arms. He had one diaper. No shoes. I didn’t even have a car seat.”
This is common, not rare.
And with over 4,000 children in the New Jersey foster care system at any given time, families across Monmouth and Ocean County are opening their homes with just minutes to prepare.
That’s why The Village NJ exists.
What We Do (That Changes Everything)
At The Village, we stock a 1,000+ sq ft space in Point Pleasant, filled with clothes, hygiene supplies, gear and comforting extras. Not hand-me-downs. Not leftovers. Dignified, clean and intentionally curated items.
Families who say “yes” to a child can come to us immediately and walk out with:
- Hygiene products
- Shoes that actually fit
- Car seats, diapers, bottles
- New socks and underwear
- Seasonally appropriate clothing and pajamas
- Backpacks, books and sometimes even birthday gifts
This isn’t charity. It’s community care. It’s the stuff that helps foster families focus on what matters most: connection and healing.
Dignity Matters, For Kids and Caregivers
Imagine you’re a 7-year-old who just got pulled from home and placed in a stranger’s house.
You don’t know the rules. You don’t know who’s safe. And then someone brings you to a bright, warm space and says: “Pick what you love.”
That’s what The Village Foster Closet feels like for so many foster children. A place where they get to choose, a rare moment of control in a time of total upheaval.
It also sends a message: You matter.
And for foster parents? It’s a relief. They no longer have to shoulder the weight of urgent supply runs. The Village gives them a soft place to land too.
Serving Monmouth & Ocean County: One Family at a Time
Our reach is growing, but our mission is local. We serve foster families across Monmouth County and Village Ocean County, offering real-time support without red tape.
Since launching in 2019, The Village has helped over 400 foster children and we’re just getting started.
We work closely with caseworkers, foster agencies and volunteers to stay flexible. If a foster parent texts us saying they just got an infant, we don’t say “apply online.” We say: When can you come by?
Why Foster Closets Are More Than Just Storage
A foster closet isn’t just about stuff. It’s about readiness. It’s about reducing barriers for foster families. It’s about letting love be the focus instead of logistics.
Not every town has one. But more should.
In New Jersey, access to a well-stocked foster closet can be the difference between saying yes to a placement or having to say no.
And honestly? It’s just human decency. No child should sleep in borrowed pajamas three sizes too big.
How You Can Help
Want to support? Start with these:
- Host a drive for new essentials (check our wishlist)
- Share our mission with your network
- Volunteer to help stock and organize
- Donate gift cards for our teens
Because The Village doesn’t exist without people like you. And because no foster family should feel like they’re doing this alone.
