Offering hope to children who have no hope is what Fayette Youth Protection Homes is all about. For the past 20 years, Fayette Youth Protection Homes has provided shelter and supportive services to hundreds of children who have been removed from their homes due to abuse or neglect. FYPH operates a residential group home known as the Friday-Johnson Home, as well as a foster parenting program and a clothes closet for foster children called Gracie's Closet.

With nine out of ten children coming into the foster care system with nothing but the clothes on their backs, the need is great for a clothing and supply closet available at a moment's notice, especially on the south side of metro Atlanta. With financial help from Speedway Children's Charities, Fayette Youth Protection Homes opened up Gracie's Closet on November 15, 2008 and has already served over 150 children who are living in foster homes or in group home care. All items in the closet are free. Foster children of all ages are invited to choose 5 outfits as well as new pajamas, underwear, socks, toiletries and school supplies. Items are either new or gently used, and the environment is like that of a fun store.

Debbie H. recently called upon Gracie's Closet when she received her first foster care referral. She never imagined that the first call would be not just for one child, but an entire sibling group.

With little notice to prepare her home for these children, she was able to obtain clothing, pajamas, car seats and toothbrushes all at the last minute. Debbie remarks, "Gracie's Closet has been such a blessing to our foster children. It helped us ease the transition for three frightened little girls and made them feel welcome into our home. They were afforded the opportunity to enter their new school with their heads held high wearing the same clothes as their peers. They are now excited to go to school."

On behalf of the children who have "shopped" in Gracie's Closet, we would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to Speedway Children's Charities whose support has helped us to get this much-needed program off the ground!