January 14, 2008
Do you ever wonder if a teen (or anyone) can change the world?
Lindsey Giambattista is a teen who wanted to do something through her faith that would change the world. Giambattista began praying about an outreach - some sort of ministry she could participate in - some way to utilize her unique gifts for God’s glory. Besides being an A-student, Lindsay was/is an avid shopper.
So after considerable prayer and debate, the idea was born. Taylor’s Closet would allow girls in foster care to come into a store-like environment and “shop” for whatever clothes they liked - completely free of charge. The idea was just to put a smile on their face for a moment and let them know they weren’t alone.
Taylor ’s Closet had its first outreach in early December, 2005. They invited girls from local foster care programs to come by and shop. There were some 30 girls that night who were blessed with new clothes, and a handful of parents, kids and program administrators who got to see the love of Christ in action as well.
Since then Lindsey has seen God bless this ministry in some huge and wonderful ways. In December of 2006, she opened the first permanent “store” for foster girls. Several local businesses have put aside their business agendas to come alongside and help out. One in particular, RCC, designed and paid for the cost to build the store. She has had clothing donations from all over the world.
Taylor’s Closet: Hope and Love for Girls in Foster Care
Real Article about Taylor’s Closet: Miami Herald, January 12, 2008
Florida Teen Opens Free Boutique for Foster Girls by Rasha Madkour
Excerpt: Ashley Larkins remembers her first time at Taylor’s Closet. As she scanned the space filled with what she described as “some busting stuff” - teenspeak for something that looks good - the 19-year-old started bawling.
Ashley had been in foster care since she was 14, when her mother decided she couldn’t take any more of her eight children.
“She’s like, ‘I’m getting tired of y’all,’” Ashley says, her voice breaking. “I came home from school one day and my stuff was sitting outside.”
The teen spent a year at a women’s shelter before moving to a group home. Another girl at the home, who has become Ashley’s best friend, told her about Taylor’s Closet. Ashley had a hard time believing nice clothes were being given out - until she saw it for herself.
“I started crying because I felt like so loved, like somebody finally cared about me,” Ashley said. “I was just so happy.”
On a recent Tuesday, Ashley tried out various outfits, as Lindsay and her mom offered their opinion.
“Oh, that’s cute, with jeans,” Linda Giambattista said of a cream-colored flowing sleeveless top. “You can pull it off, definitely.”
Ashley also grabbed two pairs of brand-new jeans - one dark blue, one light - that had just arrived. A girl in New Mexico saw a segment about Taylor’s Closet on television and decided to hold a fundraiser for it at her high school. With the $1,000 collected, she went to an Aeropostale store and bought 25 pairs of jeans and 30 tops.
At the front of the shop, Lindsay bagged up the picks and noted their estimated worth in a binder: $250. It’s the closest thing to a cash register. Next to it sits some iPod speakers and ornamental spools of yarn. On the wall nearby, decorative gold birdcages prop up white block letters that spell “HOPE.”
Cindi Hoppes says:
Hello, I got chills and teary-eyed when I read this story. What a remarkable story! If anyone needs boosting, it is foster children. My husband and I were licenses foster parents. Cindi